Summary

In Chapter 22, when Dionysus returned to Naxos, a band of “young women,” called maenads, “followed him wherever he went” (183). They worshiped Dionysus. Ariadne marveled at their “simple joy” (183).

Ariadne fell more and more in love with Dionysus. Yet because he did not age, she doubted he would want to be with her when she was old. Dionysus swore to love her forever.

Ariadne and Dionysus “married on [their] beach” (186). Ariadne’s wedding crown was the most beautiful thing she had ever owned. She was horrified when Dionysus cast it into the sea after the ceremony. He said that such possessions did not last. Instead, he turned the crown into a constellation, something that would stay “fast and true” (187).

Ariadne gave birth to her first child, Oenopion. Thinking of other women helped her through labor. When she held the baby for the first time...