Brittain's Ida

In this captivating exploration of an ancient myth, both Ovid and Spenser offer their takes, yet Spensers version transforms the narrative into a tale of fulfilled love, while Ovid, much like Shakespeare, masterfully weaves humor with pathos to soften the blow of sentimentality. Ovid’s Venus steps out of character, taking on the role of a huntress to accompany her beloved Adonis in the woods, while Shakespeares Venus remains steadfastly the queen of love throughout. The comedy arises from Adonis’s disinterest, lending a nearly slapstick quality to the goddess’s relentless wooing. Despite her earnestness making her endearing, Adonis’s youthful immaturity compels us to respect his choice of chastity. The sorrowful conclusion—unexpected in a comedic narrative—leaves us with a poignant sense of loss, especially as we empathize with the characters. The poetic form, known as an epyllion, serves as a sensuous narrative steeped in mythology, akin to Marlowes Hero and Leander and Phineus Fletchers Venus and Anchises, both also available in the Librivox catalogue. Notably, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece stand as the only works that Shakespeare meticulously oversaw through publication. - Summary by T. A. Copeland