The jeweled castle of the dragon

Abstract

Five analogue narratives – from Apuleius’ Metamorphoses (‘Cupid and Psyche’, ii AD), Philostratus’ Apollonius (c. AD 220), Callimachus and Chrysorrhoe (early xiv AD), Konrad’s Saga (xiv AD) and the Theodore Tiron Miracle Story (xiv AD) – prove to be underpinned by an ideal story-type along the following lines. A dragon lives in a golden, jewelled castle, almost impossible of access. It is surrounded by and infested by lesser serpents. Within it he has a special raised platform, and he is served in it by automatic air-powered trays, tables and vessels. He conceives a desire for human girl, steals her and keeps her captive. The castle is penetrated by her lover-to-be, who kills the dragon and saves her, whereupon the marvellous castle melts away. The theme of erotic desire travels with the story-type. Further support is provided for the long-held suspicion that the Cupid and Psyche tale builds upon a pre-existing traditional dragon narrative.