Tag Archives: symbolism

In Endymion, John Lyly refreshingly transforms a play based on the classical myth, into a comedy.  In class, we spent a good portion of time discussing who Lyly was writing this for, and where it was performed.  The conclusion was that this play was performed before Queen Elizabeth, and the main role of Cynthia the Goddess of the Moon was used to represent her.  This brings into perspective why Lyly would choose to alter the original plot of Endymion.  In the original myth, the Moon Goddess is the one who fawns over and chases after Endymion.  In Lyly’s version, it is Endymion, a man, who devotes himself to the Moon Goddess Cynthia.  Act 1 opens with Endymion confessing his love of Cynthia to his best friend Eumenides.  There are many instances before Endymion’s notorious lengthy sleep in which he professes his love for Cynthia.

I believe this was an important and well thought out move on Lyly’s part when writing the play.  If Cynthia is meant to represent Queen Elizabeth, then the implication is that Endymion, who can be interchanged with Queen Elizabeth’s subjects, sincerely adores her.  I also think that it is worth pointing out that the relationship between Cynthia and Endymion is largely platonic (aside from the kiss that breaks him from his sleep).  Endymion shows no signs of lusting after Cynthia; he purely worships her.  This solidifies the symbolism of the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and her subjects.  The reason Lyly would write a play to this effect for Queen Elizabeth is because she was in her later years, and this play would serve as a playful and meaningful method of honoring the Queen.