Abstract
This paper is one of a series investigating basic mythological themes and making special use of the artistic representation of such themes over the centuries. The rape of the mortal, Leda, by Zeus in the form of a swan is examined in terms of comparative mythology and of poetic and pictorial portrayals. The myth is seen primarily as one of sexuality and three aspects are isolated. Firstly, the sexual relationship of gods to humans, and this is seen as both an extension of the parent-child relationship and consequently incestuous, and as having an important creative aspect. Secondly, the general portrayal of sexual union, and this is handled in a diverse manner, the rape element is largely ignored, and there is a high proportion of deviant relationships of an oral or sado-masochistic nature revealed. Finally, the influence of the bird as the sexual partner is seen in terms of the bird as a sexual symbol, of bestiality and the use or not of specific aspects of avian sexuality, notably, cloacal sexuality, superfoetation and oviparous birth.