Ariadne

Ariadne is one of the main characters and first person narrators of the novel. Her father is King Minos of Crete. Her mother is Pasiphae. She has several brothers, including the Minotaur, and one sister, Phaedra. Growing up at the palace in Knossos, Ariadne lives “a sheltered life, veiled and hidden behind high walls” (25). Throughout her coming of age, she anticipates her father marrying her off to a prince to secure “a foreign alliance” (25). When she turns 18, she knows that everything is “about to change” (25). Indeed, Minos soon arranges for her marriage to Cinyras of Cyprus, a man who disgusts Ariadne. Though she begs her mother and father to release her from the union, neither obliges her.

Shortly thereafter, Ariadne becomes enamored with Theseus, the prince of Athens, who has recently volunteered himself as a tribute to Crete, and thus to the Minotaur. Almost as soon as she...