The birth of the castrated genital goddess Uranus is an obvious allegory of how ancient poets viewed the nature of human sexuality. The myth emphasizes the images with which the Greek poets represented the erotic experience, imagined as a sort of suffering, a violent and intense aggression. As I stared hypnotically at the painting, I felt a little uncomfortable with Venus' nakedness, but at the same time, mesmerized, I began to think about Aphrodite's dual nature. Hesiod's poem makes it clear that the Aphrodite I was looking at was Aphrodite Urania, “born of male alone.” and not as a result of sexual union” (MLS 189). She is the celestial goddess, often naked and associated with pure, spiritual love. However, there is an alternative myth in which she is identified as the daughter of Zeus and his partner Dione. Here, dressed in luxurious clothes, she is called Aphrodite Pandemos or common Aphrodite, and is depicted as the goddess of sex and the procreation of children. While these two myths are crystal clear, I still sense ambiguity in Cabanel's works. Maybe it's because of Venus's playful and provocative pose, or simply because I can't think of female nudity in any other way than to symbolize sex and sensuality. When the deep trance state caused by the canvas ended, I decided to go back in time and take a look at the paintings of the sixteenth century. I recognized them immediately. Venus, completely naked, grabs Adonis, the mortal hunter, and tries to stop him from leaving. It seems obvious that he wants to go hunting: he brings a bow and arrows. His dogs tug at him impatiently. I completely agree with the Met's fact sheet, which states that the atmosphere of sensuality created by... half the paper... er, was transformed into a bloodless plant, another part was ruby red, and where his face had been there was a flower like a violet [i.e. a heliotrope]. Although well rooted, it turns towards the sun; her form has changed, but her passion still burns." (Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 204 & 234 & 256) I love this sculpture because it conveys Clite's feelings: misery, melancholy and anguish. The fact that it was life-size statue made it so real that I wanted to console her and dry her tears. My journey was over, I had to go home because, for three and a half hours, I felt pure happiness. I let my emotions fill my eyes and soul . I don't recommend this place, I prescribe it, like healthy eating and exercise. Works Cited www.theoi.com www.metmuseum.org M. Morford, R. Lenardon. , M. Sham, Classical Mythology, Oxford University Press, 9th edition