Tithonus : Summary

Summary

Nature Changes, but Tithonus Cannot (Lines 1–10): Nature always changes in a cycle. Trees rot, and leaves fall down. The mist drops soft rain on the land. People are born, work, and then die. Even swans die after many years. But Tithonus cannot die like them. He lies beside Eos, the dawn goddess. He grows old very slowly. He says he is like a white shadow. He walks like a dream in the East. The halls there are silent and full of mist. The place feels cold and still. It is not like the warm world he knew.

The Gift of Immortality Became a Curse (Lines 11–30): Tithonus was once a strong young man. He was handsome and proud of himself. Eos (Aurora) chose him to be her lover. He felt like a god in that moment. He asked Eos to make him immortal. She gave it quickly and easily. It was like a rich man giving money. But the Hours, who serve Eos, got angry. They could not kill him. So they made him grow old forever. His body broke, but he could not die. Eos stayed young and beautiful. But Tithonus aged beside her every day. All his youth and beauty are now gone. He asks if Eos’s love is enough. He sees the silver morning star in the sky. The star shines in Eos’s teary eyes. He begs her to take back the gift. He now knows he made a big mistake. No man should want to live forever. It is wrong to live beyond human life. 

The Rise of the Dawn and Tithonus’s Plea (Lines 31–49): A soft wind moves the clouds away. Tithonus sees the human world again. He sees Eos’s shining face and body. Her cheeks turn red with light. Her eyes grow bright with the dawn. Soon, her eyes will outshine the stars. Her wild horses wake up with energy. They shake off the darkness of night. They are ready to bring the sunrise. They wait for Eos to ride with them. But Eos always leaves before speaking. She cries but says nothing to him. Tithonus feels afraid and alone. He remembers an old saying on Earth: “Even gods cannot take back their gifts.”

His Happy Past With Eos (Lines 50–60): Tithonus remembers the old happy times. Back then, he was young and strong. He used to watch Eos rise each day. It made him feel happy and full of life. When she glowed, his body glowed too. Her kisses were soft and sweet. They felt like spring flowers opening. Her lips whispered magical, lovely words. They were wild and sweet like music. It was like the songs of Apollo in Troy. That time was full of joy and love. But now, it is just a sad memory. He feels no more joy or warmth. He feels only cold and sadness.

A Final Request to Die (Lines 61–76): Tithonus asks Eos to let him go. He does not want to stay forever. Her light and beauty never change. But he is now only a shadow. Her golden light feels cold to him. His feet are cold in her bright palace. He sees the mist rise from Earth. It comes from homes of happy people. They are happy because they can die. He sees the graves of the dead. They are even luckier than the living. He wishes to be like them. He wants to return to the earth. He asks her to send him back. Eos can see all things clearly. She will see his grave one day. Every morning, she will rise again. But he will sleep peacefully in the ground. He will forget the empty palace forever. He will forget her bright return each day.