The Anguish of Tantalus

The endless amusement of the Underworld calls all to its fiery gates. The dark, morbid beauty hangs in the air and fills your soul. Obviously, this can only pertain to you when you find yourself on the outside looking in. Endless tortures occur here that would drive even the strongest man to insanity. Many men have the distinction of experiencing these tortures firsthand, one of them being the ill-fated Tantalus.

No one truly knows what brought down the wrath of the Gods on poor Tantalus, but we know he will suffer greatly, like a fawn trapped beneath the claws of a ravenous lion. Tantalus endures one of the harshest forms of punishment. He has what he yearns for in front of him, yet it remains beyond his grasp. He stands in the Underworld surrounded by a pool of clear and refreshing water with fruitful branches looming over his head. At first sight this might not look like much of a torture technique, and if you think so then you underestimate the guile of the Gods. Every time Tantalus reaches for a shiny red apple, ripe pomegranates and pears, and succulent figs to fill his empty stomach, the branch pulls away taking the fruit with it. Every time Tantalus tries to drink from the pool of water which teasingly laps against his chin, to relieve his parched throat, the water recedes and vanishes before his very eyes. The delectable fruits and cool water taunt him. They laugh at his foolishness, or can it possible that Tantalus's deranged mind imagines the chuckles.

Poor Tantalus, you might say to yourself, poor Tantalus indeed. Day and night he stands there in compassionless torture, which not only affects his body but also his mind and soul. Tantalus knows that no help will come his way to stop the agonizing pain. For eternity shall he suffer an endless torture. So is the anguish of Tantalus.