Charmides by Oscar Wilde (1891)
The narrative follows a young Grecian lad, who embarks on a journey across the sea, filled with youthful exuberance and a sense of adventure. He navigates through storms and arrives at a sandy bay, where he prepares for a ritual dedicated to the gods. Amidst the festivities, he becomes entranced by the beauty of a divine figure, Athena, and is drawn into a passionate encounter that transcends mortal boundaries. As the story unfolds, the lad's infatuation leads him to a tragic fate. In a moment of reckless abandon, he leaps into the sea to pursue Athena, only to be consumed by the depths. His body is later recovered by sea deities, who mourn his loss and honor his beauty. The narrative shifts to a serene landscape where the boy's lifeless form is discovered by woodland nymphs, who are captivated by his ethereal presence. A Dryad, enchanted by the boy, attempts to awaken him, longing for a union that remains unfulfilled. Her desire leads to her own demise, as she succumbs to the pain of unrequited love. The goddess Venus witnesses this tragedy and, in her compassion, takes the lovers to a celestial realm, where they are united in death. The tale concludes in the underworld, where the boy finds himself in a state of melancholy, reflecting on his past and the fleeting nature of love. He encounters a spectral figure, and they share a moment of intimacy, rekindling the passion that once defined his existence. The narrative explores themes of desire, beauty, and the consequences of love, ultimately portraying the bittersweet nature of human experience and the eternal longing for connection.
By Oscar Wilde · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Mythology · 7,861 words
First lines
He was a Grecian lad, who coming home / With pulpy figs and wine from Sicily / Stood at his galley's prow, and let the foam / Blow through his crisp brown curls unconsciously, / And holding wave and wind in boy's despite / Peered from his dripping seat across the wet and stormy night.
Till with the dawn he saw a burnished spear / Like a thin thread of gold against the sky, / And hoisted sail, and strained the creaking gear, / And bade the pilot head her lustily / Against the nor'west gale, and all day long / Held on his way, and marked the rowers' time with measured song.
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Charmides is listed on Textopian as a novel by Oscar Wilde, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Oscar Wilde
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Mythology, Tragedy, Symbolism
- Length: 7,861 words
- Structure: 1 section, 85 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for Charmides by Oscar Wilde
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rich imagery and lyrical language characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, beauty, and nature, along with the emotional intensity, align with Romantic ideals.
- Mythology — The narrative incorporates elements of Greek mythology, featuring gods and mythological figures.
- Tragedy — The themes of love and loss, along with the tragic fate of the characters, reflect tragic elements.
Tags
Philosophical Dialogue · Ancient Greek Literature · Platonic Ideas · Ethics · Morality · Socratic Method · Wisdom · Knowledge · Truth · Beauty · Goodness · Justice