adapted from Admetus and the Shepherd: A Greek Myth

Question

by Josephine Preston Peabody

Apollo did not live always free of care, though he was the most glorious of the gods. One day, in anger with the Cyclopes who work at the forges of Vulcan, he sent his arrows after them, to the wrath of all the gods, but especially of Zeus. Even the divine archer could not go unpunished, and as a penalty he was sent to serve some mortal for a year.
Now there was a certain king in Thessaly, Admetus, and there came to him one day a stranger, who asked leave to serve about the palace. None knew his name, but he was very comely, and moreover, when they questioned him he said that he had come from a position of high trust. So without further delay they made him chief shepherd of the royal flocks.
Every day thereafter, he drove his sheep to the banks of the river Amphrysus, and there he sat to watch them. The country folk that passed drew near to wonder at him. He would pipe for hours in the sun. A simple-spoken man he was, yet he seemed to know much more than he would say, and he smiled with a kindly mirth when the people wished him sunny weather.
Indeed, as days went by, it seemed as if summer had come to stay, and, like the shepherd, found the place friendly. Nowhere else were the flocks so white and fair to see, like clouds loitering along a bright sky; sometimes, when he chose, their keeper sang to them. Then the grasshoppers drew near and the swans sailed close to the river banks, and the countrymen gathered about to hear wonderful tales of the slaying of the monster Python and of a lovely maiden, Daphne, who grew into a laurel tree. In time, the rumor of these things drew the king himself to listen; Admetus, who had been to see the world, knew at once that this was no earthly shepherd, but a god. From that day, like a true king, he treated his guest with reverence and friendliness, asking no questions; and the god was well pleased.

4
This painting by Charles Lorrain is called Landscape with Apollo Guarding the Herds of Admetus (1645).

A painting of a man playing the guitar and a man grazing his cows near a river.

How does the representation of Apollo as a shepherd in the painting differ from the passage?

A.
The painting shows a more cultivated world than what is presented in the passage.
B.
The painting shows how carefully he looks after the flocks in contrast to the passage.
C.
The painting makes the natural world seem less enticing than the passage does.
D.
The painting makes the shepherd seem more solitary than the passage does.

Answer 1

To answer the question regarding how the representation of Apollo as a shepherd in the painting differs from the passage, let's analyze the options given:

A. The painting shows a more cultivated world than what is presented in the passage.
This could be true if the painting depicts a more manicured landscape than the natural, idyllic setting described in the passage, but it does not specifically highlight Apollo’s qualities, so this option may not fully capture the key differences.

B. The painting shows how carefully he looks after the flocks in contrast to the passage.
The passage describes Apollo as a shepherd who takes care of the flocks and engages in a jovial manner with the surroundings. If the painting emphasizes a different style or mood regarding the care of the flocks, this may differentiate the portrayal.

C. The painting makes the natural world seem less enticing than the passage does.
The passage paints a vivid and inviting picture of nature with imagery related to summer, flocks, and the harmonious interaction between Apollo and the world. If the painting gives a less inviting or dull representation of the natural world, then this statement could be valid.

D. The painting makes the shepherd seem more solitary than the passage does.
The passage emphasizes how Apollo engages with the people around him and shares stories, almost creating a community atmosphere. If the painting shows Apollo in a more isolated manner, this distinction would clearly set it apart from the passage.

Considering these analyses, option D seems the most accurate; it highlights the difference between the communal interactions depicted in the passage versus the potentially solitary representation in the painting. Therefore, the answer is:

D. The painting makes the shepherd seem more solitary than the passage does.