Tag Archives: cynthia

One particular aspect of Lyly’s Endymion that left an impression on me was this form of dedication present between characters. In the beginning of the play, we are informed of Endymion long dedication of love and infatuation with Cynthia, goddess of the moon. However, we are also introduced to Eumenides’ dedication to Endymion. Although, to some, it may not be as impressive as Endymion’s committed love for Cynthia, even after twenty years, Eumenides was committed to find the remedy that would allow Endymion to awake from his slumber.  Furthermore, Eumenides also voluntary sacrificed his love for Semele for Endymion as we saw in his struggle between friendship and love during his conversation with Geron at his fountain.  Without this sacrifice, Eumenides would not have been able to find the only remedy that would awake Endymion and convince Cynthia to kiss Endymion.

However, with the sacrifices affiliated with dedication, it also comes with its own respective rewards. With the awake of Endymion, Eumenides is rewarded by Cynthia, a budding relationship between himself and Semele. Although Endymion is ultimately unable to be in a relationship with Cynthia, Endymion was still awakened and saved by Cynthia herself. Lyly’s demonstration of dedication in Endymion is met with rewards. This could also represent an symbolic representation of Lyly’s dedication to Queen Elizabeth through the previous discussion of Cynthia being an allegorical representation of Queen Elizabeth.