leander

Thân thiện

Leander swims across the strait under a starry sky.

Definition

Noun: 1. (Greek mythology) A youth, beloved by Hero, who drowned in the Hellespont while swimming to visit her.

Usage

• The word Leander is a proper noun, always capitalized. It is used almost exclusively in the context of the specific Greek myth.
• It can be used to refer to the character himself or to allude to the story of tragic, devoted love.

Examples

• In the myth, Leander would swim across the strait each night, guided by Hero's lamp.
• The tale of Hero and Leander is a classic story of doomed romance.
• Poets have often compared steadfast lovers to Leander.

Advanced Usage

• The story is a frequent subject in art and literature, making Leander a cultural allusion. Mentioning his name evokes themes of passionate devotion, dangerous pursuit, and tragic fate.
  • His nightly journeys to see her were as determined as Leander's.

Variants and Related Words

• Hellespont: The ancient name for the Dardanelles strait, the body of water where Leander drowned.
• Hero: The priestess of Aphrodite who was Leander's lover.

Synonyms

• Devoted lover: (A general term for the archetype Leander represents).
• Star-crossed lover: (Emphasizes the doomed aspect of the romance, similar to Romeo or Pyramus).

Học thuật

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) a youth beloved of Hero who drowned in a storm in the Hellespont on one of his nightly visits to see her

Từ đồng nghĩa

• leander