Callisto

Callisto

In a Nutshell

The story of Callisto has enough steamy drama to make any soap opera blush. You've got sneaky seduction, horrible shame, shocking transformations, brushes with death, and ultimate redemption—all rolled up into one jaw-dropping package. Trust us, all those TV shows everyone's addicted to don't even hold a candle to this drama. Callisto marathon, anyone?

At its heart, Callisto's story is the tale of a good girl gone wrong. This young lady is conned into breaking her virginal vow through a dirty trick and a clever disguise. Next thing she knows, she's pregnant and booted into the cold, cruel world. Years later, fate kicks her in the face one more time when her son unknowingly almost kills her.

But just in the knick of time... actually, nah. We'll leave you with a cliffhanger. All the best soaps do.

 

Shmoop Connections

Explore the ways this myth connects with the world and with other topics on Shmoop

Don't miss Ovid's take on tale of Callisto's bad luck in The Metamorphoses.

Callisto isn't the only maiden to fall for the charms of Zeus. Check out "Leda and the Swan" by William Butler Yeats for an even crazier tale of seduction.