Lamia

Question 1

What happens in Lamia?

Answer 1

• Lamia is transformed from serpent to woman, and lives with Lycius, unseen by the world in her fairy palace.
• Lycius insists upon marrying her publicly
• His old tutor comes to the wedding feast, recognises Lamia’s true nature and denounces her.
• She disappears and Lamia dies.

Question 2

What happens in part 1?

Answer 2

• In part 1, the god Hermes in amorous pursuit of a nymph, encounters Lamia. She has the form of a grotesque serpent but the mouth and voice of a woman.
• Lamia promises to restore to him the nymph if he will in turn restore her to her former human shape.
• Hermes promises, the nymph appears and Lamia after violent convulsions sheds her skin and a beautiful woman is revealed.
• She goes to Corinth where she meets and seduces Lycius.