Bethany Hermelin

Carter
AP Literature
The Greek god of Love
EP and Eros are two poems about the Greek god Eros. They were written one
hundred years apart with two different languages. Both poems also take on different
characteristics about Eros.
EP explores the beauty and power of Eros. Bridges writes, with thy flesh so fair/that
only Pheidias might compare/ere from his chaste marmoreal form. (lines 7-9) He is the image of
eternal truth and is considered beautiful by Bridges. Bridges also explains that Eros is the tyrant
of the human heart. Eros is truly in charge of all hearts because he is Cupid, determining who
will match up with how Though Eros has a lot of power, Stevenson disagrees with Bridges on
one thing; Eros image.
Stevenson explains that when she called for love terrible looking Eros appeared before
her eyes. Eros shares the reason of his sickly appearance is because of long overuse, but also
makes it known that he can determine her fate.
EP was written one hundred years ago and is a poem written to Eros about how
magnificent he is. Stevenson takes a different approach one hundred years later and has a
conversation with the now battered and old Greek god. Stevenson puts her own perspective in
her poem and imagines what the beautiful Eros looks like after years of matchmaking. In the end,
both authors agree with the fact that Eros has a lot of power.