Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales is a collection of Greek myths retold for children. These stories are filled with adventure, magic, and enchantment, and have captivated readers of all ages for generations. In this article, we will provide a summary of some of the most beloved tales from Tanglewood Tales, and explore the themes and messages that Hawthorne weaves throughout his retellings. Whether you are a fan of mythology or simply looking for an entertaining read, Tanglewood Tales is sure to delight and enchant you.
The Stories
The Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a collection of stories that retell classic Greek myths in a way that is both enchanting and accessible to young readers. The stories are set in the idyllic Tanglewood forest, where the characters encounter magical creatures and embark on epic adventures. Each tale is filled with moral lessons and themes that are still relevant today, making them a timeless addition to any library. From the daring exploits of Theseus to the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe, the Tanglewood Tales are sure to captivate readers of all ages.
The Minotaur
The Minotaur is one of the most well-known characters in Greek mythology, and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s retelling of the story in Tanglewood Tales is no less captivating. The Minotaur is a creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man, born from the union of Queen Pasiphae and a bull. He is kept in a labyrinth on the island of Crete, where he is fed human sacrifices. Theseus, the hero of the story, sets out to slay the Minotaur and end the gruesome tradition. The tale is a classic example of the hero’s journey, with Theseus facing numerous challenges and obstacles before ultimately defeating the Minotaur and freeing the people of Crete from their terror. Hawthorne’s retelling of the story adds his own unique touch, making it a must-read for anyone interested in Greek mythology or classic literature.
The Pygmies
The Pygmies are a group of tiny people who live in the forest and are known for their mischievous nature. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the Pygmies are featured in the story “The Three Golden Apples.” In this tale, the Pygmies help the hero, Hercules, on his quest to obtain the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides. Despite their small size, the Pygmies prove to be valuable allies to Hercules and play a crucial role in his success. Hawthorne’s portrayal of the Pygmies is both whimsical and endearing, making them a memorable addition to the collection of enchanting tales in Tanglewood.
The Dragon’s Teeth
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the story of “The Dragon’s Teeth” tells the tale of Cadmus, a young prince who is tasked with finding his sister Europa after she is abducted by Zeus. Along the way, Cadmus encounters a dragon who guards a field of teeth that, when sown into the ground, sprout into fully armed warriors. Cadmus uses the teeth to create an army to help him in his quest, but soon realizes the danger of relying on such unnatural forces. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of seeking power through unnatural means.
Circe’s Palace
Circe’s Palace is a place of enchantment and danger. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the story of Ulysses and his encounter with the sorceress Circe is retold. Ulysses and his men are transformed into pigs by Circe’s magic, but with the help of the god Mercury, Ulysses is able to resist her spells and eventually convinces her to turn his men back into humans. The palace itself is described as a beautiful but eerie place, with strange creatures and enchantments lurking around every corner. It serves as a warning to those who would underestimate the power of magic and the danger of succumbing to its allure.
The Pomegranate Seeds
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the story of “The Pomegranate Seeds” tells the tale of Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. Persephone is kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld, and taken to his realm. Demeter is devastated by the loss of her daughter and refuses to let anything grow on Earth until Persephone is returned to her. Eventually, a deal is struck where Persephone can return to the surface for half of the year, but must spend the other half in the underworld with Hades. The pomegranate seeds play a crucial role in this story, as Persephone eats six of them while in the underworld, binding her to Hades for six months of the year. This tale explores themes of love, loss, and the cyclical nature of life and death.
The Golden Fleece
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, one of the most captivating stories is that of “The Golden Fleece.” This tale follows the journey of Jason and the Argonauts as they set out to retrieve the coveted Golden Fleece from the kingdom of Colchis. Along the way, they face numerous challenges and obstacles, including battling fierce monsters and navigating treacherous waters. However, with the help of the sorceress Medea, Jason is able to successfully obtain the Golden Fleece and return it to his homeland. This story is a classic example of the hero’s journey, as Jason must overcome great adversity and prove his worthiness in order to achieve his goal.
The Chimaera
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, one of the most intriguing stories is that of “The Chimaera.” This mythical creature, with the head of a lion, body of a goat, and tail of a serpent, was said to breathe fire and terrorize the land. In Hawthorne’s version, the Chimaera is a lonely and misunderstood creature, longing for companionship and acceptance. The story follows the adventures of a young boy named Bellerophon, who is tasked with slaying the Chimaera. However, as Bellerophon gets to know the creature, he begins to see its gentle nature and ultimately decides to spare its life. This tale serves as a reminder that things are not always as they seem and that compassion and understanding can go a long way in bridging divides.
The Miraculous Pitcher
“The Miraculous Pitcher” is a story about a poor family who receives a gift from the gods in the form of a pitcher that never runs out of water. The family, who had been struggling to survive, is overjoyed by the gift and uses the water to help their crops grow and to quench their thirst. However, their happiness is short-lived as their greedy neighbors begin to demand the water for themselves. The family, who had always been kind and generous, refuses to share the water with those who had never shown them any kindness. In the end, the gods reward the family for their goodness by granting them a bountiful harvest and a life of prosperity. This story teaches us the importance of kindness and generosity, and how it can lead to great rewards in life.
The Paradise of Children
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the section titled “The Paradise of Children” transports readers to a magical world where children can play and explore without any worries or fears. This section features the story of Pandora’s Box, where the curious Pandora opens a box that unleashes all the evils of the world. However, Hawthorne’s version of the story has a happy ending, as the children in the paradise are able to capture the evils and lock them away, leaving only hope behind. This section is a reminder of the innocence and wonder of childhood, and the importance of holding onto those qualities as we grow older.
The Three Golden Apples
“The Three Golden Apples” is a tale of enchantment and adventure that follows the journey of Hercules as he sets out to retrieve three golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and challenges, including a giant who tries to crush him with a boulder and a dragon who guards the garden. With the help of Athena and Atlas, Hercules is able to overcome these obstacles and successfully retrieve the golden apples. This tale teaches us the importance of perseverance and the rewards that come with determination and bravery.
The Heroes
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the heroes are not your typical knights in shining armor. Instead, they are often flawed and imperfect, but ultimately prove themselves to be brave and noble. One such hero is Theseus, who must navigate a labyrinth to defeat the fearsome Minotaur and save his people. Another is Perseus, who must slay the monstrous Medusa and rescue the beautiful Andromeda. These heroes face incredible challenges and dangers, but they never give up and always strive to do what is right. Through their adventures, Hawthorne teaches us the importance of courage, perseverance, and selflessness.
Theseus
Theseus, the legendary hero of Athens, is one of the most prominent figures in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales. The son of King Aegeus and the sea goddess Aethra, Theseus is known for his bravery, strength, and cunning. He is best remembered for his defeat of the Minotaur, a monstrous creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man, who lived in a labyrinth on the island of Crete. With the help of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, Theseus was able to navigate the maze and slay the beast. However, his journey was not without its challenges, as he also had to contend with the treacherous King Minos and his own personal demons. Despite these obstacles, Theseus emerged victorious and became a symbol of heroism and courage for generations to come.
Perseus
Perseus is one of the most well-known figures in Greek mythology, and his story is retold in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae, a mortal woman. His grandfather, King Acrisius, was warned by an oracle that his daughter’s son would one day kill him, so he locked Danae away in a tower. Zeus, however, was not deterred and visited Danae in the form of a shower of gold, impregnating her with Perseus.
As Perseus grew up, he became known for his bravery and strength. He was tasked with slaying the Gorgon Medusa, whose gaze turned people to stone. With the help of Athena and Hermes, Perseus was able to obtain a reflective shield, a sword, and winged sandals. He used these tools to defeat Medusa and cut off her head, which he then used as a weapon against his enemies.
Perseus also rescued Andromeda, a princess who had been chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster. He used Medusa’s head to turn the monster to stone and saved Andromeda, whom he later married.
Overall, Perseus is a symbol of heroism and courage in the face of danger. His story has been retold countless times throughout history, and Hawthorne’s version in Tanglewood Tales is a classic example of how mythology continues to captivate and enchant readers of all ages.
Hercules
Hercules is one of the most well-known figures in Greek mythology, and his story is retold in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales. In the book, Hercules is portrayed as a strong and brave hero who completes twelve labors to atone for his past mistakes. These labors include slaying the Nemean Lion, capturing the Erymanthian Boar, and cleaning the Augean Stables. Despite facing many challenges and obstacles, Hercules perseveres and emerges victorious. His story serves as a reminder of the power of determination and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Jason
Jason is one of the main characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales. He is a brave and determined young man who sets out on a quest to find the Golden Fleece. Along the way, he faces many challenges and obstacles, including a fire-breathing dragon and a treacherous king. With the help of his companions, including the sorceress Medea, Jason is able to overcome these challenges and ultimately succeed in his quest. Jason’s story is a classic tale of heroism and adventure, and it continues to captivate readers of all ages.
Bellerophon
Bellerophon is one of the most fascinating characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales. He is a brave and skilled warrior who is chosen by the gods to slay the Chimera, a fearsome creature with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. Bellerophon is given a magical bridle by the goddess Athena, which he uses to tame the winged horse Pegasus. With Pegasus as his mount, Bellerophon is able to fly to the Chimera’s lair and defeat the beast with his spear. However, Bellerophon’s pride and arrogance lead him to attempt to fly to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Zeus, angered by Bellerophon’s hubris, sends a gadfly to sting Pegasus, causing Bellerophon to fall to his death. The story of Bellerophon is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the consequences of defying the gods.
Orpheus
Orpheus, the legendary musician and poet, is one of the most fascinating characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales. In the story, Orpheus is depicted as a gifted musician who can charm even the most savage beasts with his music. He is also a tragic figure, as he loses his beloved wife Eurydice to the underworld and must journey there to try and win her back.
Hawthorne’s portrayal of Orpheus is both romantic and melancholic, capturing the essence of the ancient Greek myth. The story of Orpheus and Eurydice has been retold countless times throughout history, but Hawthorne’s version stands out for its vivid imagery and emotional depth.
One of the most memorable scenes in the story is when Orpheus plays his lyre for the king of the underworld, Hades, and his queen, Persephone. His music is so beautiful that it moves even the stone-hearted rulers of the underworld to tears. This scene is a testament to the power of music and its ability to transcend boundaries and touch the hearts of even the most unlikely listeners.
Overall, Orpheus is a captivating character in Tanglewood Tales, and his story is a testament to the enduring power of myth and legend. Hawthorne’s retelling of the myth is a beautiful tribute to the ancient Greek tradition, and a reminder of the timeless appeal of these timeless tales.
The Morals
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the author weaves together a collection of Greek myths and legends, each with its own moral lesson. These tales are not just entertaining stories, but also serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of pride, greed, and jealousy. For example, in the story of “The Golden Touch,” King Midas learns that his desire for wealth and power can lead to his downfall. Similarly, in “The Minotaur,” Theseus must confront his own fear and pride in order to defeat the monstrous creature. Through these tales, Hawthorne reminds us of the importance of humility, bravery, and compassion in our own lives.
The Importance of Courage
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the importance of courage is a recurring theme throughout the stories. Whether it is the bravery of Theseus facing the Minotaur or the determination of Pandora to close the box of evils, each character must summon the courage to face their challenges. Hawthorne’s tales remind us that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to face our fears and overcome them. Without courage, we may never reach our full potential or achieve our goals. It is a vital trait that we must cultivate in ourselves and encourage in others.
The Consequences of Greed
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, the consequences of greed are explored through the story of King Midas. The king, who is granted the power to turn everything he touches into gold, becomes consumed by his desire for wealth and material possessions. However, his greed ultimately leads to his downfall as he realizes that his beloved daughter has also turned into gold. This tale serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of greed and the importance of valuing relationships and human connections over material wealth.