Throughout the interactive oral, with reference to Tomasi di Lamedusa’s

novel The Leopard, we deliberated the mythological allusions that appeared

persistently throughout the text. Prior to the discussion, I gave minimal

importance to such citations not aware of their significant in reinforcing the

characters connection to the Sicilian landscape where Lampedusa sets his novel.

My personal knowledge towards Greek folklore is fairly scarce, and as a result I

found myself frequently ignoring the clear implications made by the author in

reference to the many protagonists of ancient Greek legends. Therefore given

chance to further explore such topic I was able to understand and thus appreciate

the connections drawn by Lampedusa between the elements found in ancient

myths and the characters created in the novel.

The most evident is the apparent inspiration drawn from the protagonist

of numerous Greek myths for the development of the protagonist chosen for the

novel. In fact, Don Farbrizio referred to, as “pater familias” is consistently

described as a striking figure at times greater then life itself. Imposing on all

other characters his somewhat “thunderous” strength and appearance prompts a

connection to the “father of all gods”, the almighty Zeus. Furthermore the prince

preoccupies his time observing Zeus’s realm, seeking comfort in the stars he

contemplates the vastness of the universe comparing it to the ephemeral present.

This creates a further analogy in their relationship, as the prince’s entrancement

at the wonders of the cosmos depicts a distinct curiosity that only Zeus perceives,

thus generating an abstract connection between the two figures.