Morpheus.
The human face of a dream
Morpheus: the Dream Figure in Greek and Roman Mythologyis a dream figure who can imitate human appearance, voice, and behavior. His named role is best known from ’s Roman poem, where Sleep sends him to reveal a death through a dream.
More than a myth.
Where Morpheus appears
In 11, sends to the house of Sleep so that Alcyone may learn that her husband Ceyx has drowned. Sleep chooses from his many sons because he excels at reproducing human beings. He can copy a face and clothing, but also the tone of a voice and the manner in which someone moves.
A dream that carries the truth
appears beside Alcyone in the likeness of the drowned Ceyx. The dream ends her uncertainty, but the truth is painful. ’s scene gives a supernatural messenger an intimate task: he must make a familiar person recognizable enough that the dreamer can understand an absence she has been refusing to imagine.
Morpheus is not Hypnos
distinguishes ’s human shapes from the animal forms of Icelos, also called Phobetor, and the inanimate forms of Phantasos. These named roles belong to this particular literary account. ’s earlier names Dreams collectively as children of Night, rather than supplying the same family of specialized sons of Sleep.
Questions about Morpheus
Is Morpheus the Greek god of sleep?
is Sleep. is a son of Sleep in who specializes in appearing as human beings in dreams.
Is Morpheus in Hesiod’s Theogony?
names the Dreams as a group, but does not give the individual role found in . A Greek name does not make every surviving story an early Greek source.
It’s a family affair.
The stories of Morpheus.
Continue with the ancient accounts.
This story collection does not yet include a full retelling centered on Morpheus. Explore the cited sources below and the connected profiles for more of the surviving accounts.
Ancient voices.
Enduring stories.
Myths have many tellings. These are the ancient works behind this profile, linked to freely available English translations.
Metamorphoses
Book 11.583–676 · the house of Sleep and Alcyone’s dream
Theogony
Lines 211–225 · the Dreams