43 pages • 1 hour read
The Chalice of the Gods
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Symbols & Motifs
Ganymede’s Chalice
Percy spends almost the entire book searching for the chalice of the gods. It becomes a central symbol of his success on his quest. It also connects to the theme of Embracing the Passage of Time. The chalice will make anyone who drinks from it immortal, so it could be very powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands. Ganymede thinks that one of his enemies has taken it. He suspects former divine cupbearers Hebe and Iris. It turns out Geras, the god of old age, has stolen the chalice to prevent new people from becoming immortal. Percy can only get the chalice back by embracing old age and accepting that growing old and dying are a privilege. Aging makes it possible to grow as a person and to have meaningful new experiences, which is something the gods cannot do.
Ganymede’s predicament is tied to the chalice. If he were to fail to get it back in time for Zeus’s feast, he would probably lose his immortality and have to return to normal human life. Even though he is miserable working as the divine cupbearer, Ganymede refuses to even consider becoming human again. One of Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
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By Rick Riordan
