Titian put on canvas his interpretation of the moment the young hunter Actaeon chances upon Diana and her maidens bathing by a forest pond. Startled, Diana—though the action is not depicted in the famous painting—splashes water on Actaeon, turning him into a stag. As the Greek myth goes, he flees only to be shot by his own hunting friends who are unaware of his true identity. Hunter became prey because of an accidental intrusion that offended a goddess’s sensibilities but that did her no harm.
For Actaeon, a single unintentional transgression determined the rest of his short life. His own hunting friends suddenly did not recognize their friend. Everyone saw him not as the complex young man, but as a deer to be hunted.
Look around. In a media-driven, social-networking society anyone can become Actaeon. The simplest action, even if accidental, suddenly becomes a worldwide phenomenon that changes forever the perception of a character.
Ever make mistakes? Yes, everyone makes them. Ever turn someone into prey for an accidental intrusion on your sensibilities?
For Actaeon, a single unintentional transgression determined the rest of his short life. His own hunting friends suddenly did not recognize their friend. Everyone saw him not as the complex young man, but as a deer to be hunted.
Look around. In a media-driven, social-networking society anyone can become Actaeon. The simplest action, even if accidental, suddenly becomes a worldwide phenomenon that changes forever the perception of a character.
Ever make mistakes? Yes, everyone makes them. Ever turn someone into prey for an accidental intrusion on your sensibilities?
RSS Feed