Pérennité et évolution de la figure mythique de l'Hydre dans la littérature occidentale depuis l'Antiquité grecque jusqu'à la Renaissance

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Supervisors: Kachuck, Aaron
Faculty: Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres
Degree label: Master [120] en langues et lettres anciennes et modernes, à finalité didactique
Abstract: enThis thesis attempts to retrace the literary and iconographic journey of a mythical figure : the Hydra of Lerna. This famous monster of Greco-Roman mythology, this polycephalic snake was defeated by Hercules during his famous works. From antiquity, and right up to the present day, it has symbolised chaos and evil. Many great authors have used its image to depict the evils of their time. Through their works, we discover how the Hydra has served to modulate one of the founding legends of Western culture to constantly give rise to new meanings. Like its reborn heads, it has always managed to reappear in the works of European writers and artists. And yet, to this day, no one can claim to know its exact form. Probably because the beast has always changed and has never allowed itself to be confined in one of the many skins it has worn.