The Styx and The Lethe Print

The title is based on two legendary rivers from Greek Mythology-The Styx river and The Lethe river. These two rivers show a deep truth of human nature. The Styx was the river of oaths and promises, upon which even the Greek gods had to swear to oblige. It was believed that people who were not let into the afterlife, tried to swim across this river to reach the afterlife. However when they touched the water of the Styx, they would feel searing, stinging and deeply excruciating pain. This shows the pain of not being able to fulfil one's obligations in life. In contrast, The Lethe was the river of forgetfulness, and the one who took a dip in this river felt cool and pleasant, as the river made one forget everything, including their obligations, which shows the pleasant feeling of freedom from all promises. In the painting, the river painted red is the Styx associated with pain, and the purple one is the Lethe.