In the context of Philomela, pears representing abortion or contraception makes some sense: killing her son and feeding him to his father. I can’t remember the sequence though: if they represent adultery or rape, that’s in the story too.
(Based on Koen’s older analysis of some of these pages illustrating this Ovidian myth).
With some of the former pictures, can’t help thinking of the expression “fruit ripe for the plucking”, used to describe attractive girls just post-puberty ready for seduction or rape. Though sometimes widows too.
(Based on Koen’s older analysis of some of these pages illustrating this Ovidian myth).
With some of the former pictures, can’t help thinking of the expression “fruit ripe for the plucking”, used to describe attractive girls just post-puberty ready for seduction or rape. Though sometimes widows too.