The Sibyl

The Sibyl, now an elderly woman, once held the esteemed position of the pythia, or oracle, at Delphi. Her parents dedicated her to the service of the Delphic god of prophecy, an amalgamation of Apollo, symbolized by serpents, and Dionysus, represented by goats. During her tenure, she was seen as the bride of the god, a role she honored until she fell in love with a mortal man. This act of love transgressed her duties, and her lover—a young farmer and wounded military veteran—soon died under mysterious circumstances, found lifeless in a river, clutching a sacred laurel twig. The Sibyl bore a child, not fathered by her lover but by the Delphic god, who, while she was in a trance, took her in the form of a goat. Her son, intellectually disabled, lived with her in seclusion among the mountains where she resided post-exile, attended by goats. Together, they tracked his footprints in the snow until they vanished, leading her to conclude he had ascended to his divine father. Through her interactions with her visitor, she narrates her personal tale of love and loss, reflecting a deep understanding that love serves as a conduit for accepting life's mysteries.

The Sibyl’s Visitor

The Sibyl's visitor is a man appearing in middle age, identifiable as Ahasuerus, often referred to as the Wandering Jew. Formerly a husband and father in his hometown, he faced an eternal curse after denying rest to a man, later revealed as God's son, carrying a cross. Condemned to wander indefinitely without solace, he seeks the Sibyl's wisdom to unravel the enigma of life and divine incomprehensibility. Although her story captivates him, it fails to ease his confusion. He departs, continuing his relentless quest for understanding, emblematic of his internal crucifixion paralleling the anguish of Jesus.

The Sibyl’s Son

The Sibyl's son, conceived during a prophetic trance when she was visited by the temple god in a goat's guise, signifies the son of God. Following his birth in a remote mountain cave, he was nurtured by goats, who lovingly tended to him and his mother. Despite his mental challenges, the son’s existence embodies a divine connection. He vanishes during the Sibyl's conversation with her visitor, his footprints leading to an open space, suggesting his ascension to his celestial progenitor.

The Sibyl’s Lover

The Sibyl’s lover was a youthful farmer and a veteran who had lost an arm in military service. His inability to return the Sibyl's profound passion underscored her destiny to remain apart from human companionship. Their brief affair culminated in his unexplained death, his body discovered in the river, ominously drained of blood yet without visible wounds.

The Sibyl’s Parents

The Sibyl’s parents were humble farmers who entrusted their daughter to the Delphic god's service. They both died while she served as the oracle, with the mother passing first, followed by the father.

The Little Servant of the Oracle

The little servant of the oracle was the temple's custodian and the Sibyl’s sole confidant during her time as the pythia. This character offered friendship amidst her divine duties.

The Priest of the Temple

The priest of the temple was an irritable figure who often displayed impatience towards the Sibyl as she fulfilled her responsibilities as the oracle. His demeanor starkly contrasted with the Sibyl's own giving nature.