Πυγμαλίων: Pygmalion’s Creation
While you may choose to explore the many intriguing possibilities that the tale of Pygmalion (Ovid’s Metamorphoses Book 10) provokes, this story offers an euphemism for a caretaker of a bedridden person, profoundly troubled with the prospect of his/her own death and what would happen to the person he/she deeply loves. Pygmalion loathes their lascivious life, abhors all womankind, but most a wife: So single chose to live, and shunn'd to wed, Well pleas'd to want a consort of his bed. Yet fearing idleness, the nurse of ill, In sculpture exercis'd his happy skill; And carv'd in iv'ry such a maid, so fair, As Nature could not with his art compare, Were she to work; but in her own defence Must take her pattern here, and copy hence. Pleas'd with his idol, he commends, admires, Adores; and last, the thing ador'd, desires.