A Summary and Analysis of the Myth of Tereus and Philomela

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

The story of Philomela is well-known. And one of the most famous details of the myth of Philomela, her sister Procne, and King Tereus, is the fact that someone was turned into a nightingale. But who? And what is the meaning of this classical myth? Before we get to these questions, it might be worth recapping the story of Philomela by way of a brief plot summary.

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Was Philomela Really a Nightingale?

In this week’s Dispatches from The Secret Library, Dr Oliver Tearle ponders the curious story of Philomela the nightingale from classical myth The story of Philomela is well-known. But a quick reminder never hurts, so here’s the story: Tereus … marries Procne, the daughter of Pandion. Tereus coming a second time to Athens, takes back … Read more