Le Sourire des Amants et la Fusion de l’Amour (A.R. 3.1008-1024)

Abstract

This is a brief study on one of the most beautiful passages of Apollonius’ epic (A.R. 3.1008-1024). In a scene full of lyricism, the two lovers’ smile became the sublime expression of their desire. The contexts of the verb μειδιάω in the poem demonstrates the connection between the smile and the subject of love, and this takes us back to Homeric poetry where Aphrodite is φιλομμειδής (e.g., Il. 3.24 ; 4.10 ; 5.375). At first the smile is the mirror of the passionate joy felt by Medea (A.R. 3.1009), but, when the two lovers look in each other smiling eyes, a mutual and uncovered desire is born (A.R. 3.1024). This is described by the image of the dew melted by the dawn’s heat, a Homeric simile (Il. 23.597-599) with an erotic sense that makes Medea the water of love.