GREEK MYTHOLOGY

, Myrrha was the daughter of a wealthy king of Cyprus named Cinyras. As a beautiful young woman, Myrrha could have any suitor for her husband, but instead she falls victim to a terrible lust for her own father (some versions claim that the goddess Aphrodite is responsible for making Myrrha desire this incestuous union). Unable to deal with her unacceptable passions the princess vows to end her own life. However, as she is attempting to hang herself, Myrrha’s old nurse comes to the rescue. The nurse promises to help Myrrha and so devises a cunning plan.

At the time of the festival of Demeter, the nurse realizes, Myrrha’s mother is required to stay away from the marriage bed for nine days. So the nurse suggests that Myrrha act as a substitute for her own mother. This devious plan gives Myrrha an opportunity to satisfy her secret lusts without arousing the suspicion of her father. The two accomplices carry out their scheme by hiding the identity of the princess. King Cinyras is utterly fooled, and so taken with his new young lover that he makes a habit of bringing her to his bed many times. Finally, one night Cinyras gives in to his curiosity and uses a lamp to expose the young woman who has brought him such pleasure. He is shocked and appalled to learn it is his own daughter! Overwhelmed with anger and disgust, King Cinyras tries to kill Myrrha, but the young woman escapes.

Myrrha soon realizes that her fate is hopeless. She begs the gods to release her from her shame. The gods oblige, transforming the unfortunate young woman into a myrrh tree. But this myth is not quite complete. For underneath Myrrha’s new skin of bark a child is growing, and this child will eventually emerge as the legendary Adonis.