One of Marc Chagall's paintings "Daphnis et Chloe - Frontispice" - 1961

Longus: Daphnis and Chloe

Writing in the second century after Christ, Longus comprised what is today one of the most-well-known romance novels of the time. Daphnis and Chloe or the Pastorals was praised by Goethe, made into a ballet by Ravel, and illustrated by Chagall. It is, perhaps, the only novel from the time that a well-read person could name.

The story centers around two youth from Lesbos who, at birth, are exposed by their parents, but saved by sheep and goats. The babies are adopted by shepherds and raised in their families, but they always retain their love for nature. As they grow, they begin to experience changes that Longus matches to the seasons and the changing thereof. They are soon inseparable, but winter comes and they find themselves far apart. After winter, they attempt to return to each other; however, they are hindered by pirate attacks, thieves, and other problems that keep them separate longer. After finding their original parents, they reunite, marry, and consummate their relationship.

The style of this novel is one of the reasons that was, and still is, so popular. It was written in a strange combination of prose and poetry that gives the language a poetic element, but allows the text to remain fuller in detail as in prose. Longus utilized rhyme, alliteration, sound effects (such as using words with "sh's" in them in a sentence about flowing water), and rhythm. Because of these characteristics, Daphnis and Chloe became very popular among the upper classes despite it being a romance novel.

Longus claimed to have based the storyline on a series of paintings he saw in the Grove of the Nymphs of Lesbos and paintings of rural, country life were very popular at the time. Many similar paintings and art exist today from that time that show similar scenes to what is found in the story, but many predate the story.

Summary of Daphnis and Chloe

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