Theme of Loyalty in Cephalus and Procris

Theme of Loyalty in Cephalus and Procris

The folks in the story of Cephalus and Procris sure have some trust issues. And that means they're all about testing each other's loyalty. Cephalus goes as far as to disguise himself as another dude and attempt to seduce his own wife, while Procris spies on her husband in the woods—leading to her death. The constant suspicion over each other's loyalty is the engine driving the tragedy of this tale. And get this: in most version of the story, both parties are totally innocent.

Questions About Loyalty

  1. How does your opinion of Cephalus and Procris's actions change, depending on whether or not Cephalus cheated with Eos?
  2. Is Procris disloyal to Cephalus at all? Why or why not?
  3. Where do Eos's loyalties lie?