Motif
Incomplete wish for longevity without youth
incomplete_wish_for_longevity_without_youth
A motif of the Immortality Without Renewal family. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
roman
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The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books VIII-XV EXPLANATION. / BOOK THE FOURTEENTH. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 10542-10617 confidence: high
The prophetess denies being a goddess and says Phœbus offered her eternal life if she yielded to him; when invited to choose a wish, she asked for as many birthdays as the dust had particles.
The Sibyl asks for as many birthdays as particles of dust but forgets to request vigorous youth, resulting in extended old age.
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