Keiva-- Leda saw a beautiful swan.. It was majestic, and didn't frighten her. she had been persued by Zeus, but had more or less rejected him. she was naked, and bathing (in the sense of washing, not swimming. getting ready for her marriage. she was a virgin.. see didn't see the swan as threat, she felt free to admire it.
of course, as we now know, it wasn't a swan, it was more like a wolf in sheeps clothing. it was a disguise to get past her defenses. and one he did, he raped her. she didn't fall in love with Zeus. okay, maybe she wasn't the smarted one in the class, Zeus was known for these kind of tricks, but the lady had told him No.. and he didn't understand it. N!O! No! there is only one way to interpt NO.
do we need a thread on the meaning of word NO?
mind you, i am not against the story, or the poems, or the imagery. but part of the story is, Leda said no, and Zeus did it anyway. sure it was a different culture, and different time, but rape was recognized. (albeit, sometimes as more damaging to a man, since it rob him of certainty of paternity, but it was recognized, and not considered anything praise worthy. Zeus might be able to get away with it.. but no mere mortal could!
