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A2 · 1,910 words · French

L'histoire d'Ariane

Joyce Hannam

Ariadne, a Cretan princess, grows up in a palace darkened by a labyrinth that imprisons the fearsome Minotaur, a creature half-ox, half-man. Each year, as part of a peace pact, Athens sends tributes to sacrifice to the Minotaur, casting a shadow over Ariadne's privileged but confined life. When Theseus, a courageous Athenian prince, arrives with plans to kill the Minotaur and end this dark tradition, Ariadne sees a chance for change. Moved by Theseus' courage and her own desire for freedom, she helps him with a sword and thread to navigate the labyrinth. Theseus' victory brings them closer, and they plan to flee to Athens, dreaming of a new life. However, their escape is tainted by betrayal when Theseus abandons Ariadne on the island of Naxos. There, Dionysus, the god of wine, discovers her. Touched by her story and resilience, Dionysus offers her a place among the gods, transforming her pain into a divine existence. They marry and Ariadne becomes a goddess, immortalized in the stars and worshipped on earth, her legacy a testament to the transformative power of resilience and hope.

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Words you’ll meet

The words readers of this text looked up most, each with its meaning and the line it comes from.

vainc / vɛ̃k /verb

defeats

S'il survit et vainc le Minotaure...

If he survives and defeats the Minotaur...

battretriomphersurmonter

envoyés / ɑ̃vwaje /verb

sent

Un jour, un navire d'Athènes arrive en Crète avec un nouveau groupe de jeunes envoyés en tant que tribut au Minotaure.

One day, a ship from Athens arrives in Crete with a new group of young people sent as tribute to the Minotaur.

déléguerexpédiermandater

le labyrinthe / lə labiʁɛ̃t /noun

labyrinth

Elle grandit sous l'ombre d'un grand dédale appelé le labyrinthe.

She grew up in the shadow of a great maze called the labyrinth.

dédalemaze

la trahison / la tʁa.i.zɔ̃ /noun

betrayal

La douleur de la trahison est vive.

The pain of betrayal is intense.

tributs / tʁiby /noun

tributes

Chaque année, des gens d'Athènes envoient des tributs au Minotaure.

Each year, people from Athens send tributes to the Minotaur.

le dédale / lə dedal /noun

maze

Elle grandit sous l'ombre d'un grand dédale.

She grew up in the shadow of a great maze.

labyrintheenchevêtrement

la déesse / la de.ɛs /noun

goddess

Maintenant, en tant que déesse, elle utilise ses expériences pour conseiller les autres.

Now, as a goddess, she uses her experiences to advise others.

divinitéidolenymphe

désormais / dezɔʁmɛ /adverb

now

Son passé, autrefois source de douleur, est désormais son plus grand atout, lui permettant d'aider ceux qui affrontent leurs propres épreuves.

His past, once a source of pain, is now his greatest asset, allowing him to help those facing their own trials.

maintenantà présentdorénavant

le fil / lə fil /noun

course

Au fil de la journée, Ariane doit rassembler son courage.

Over the course of the day, Ariane must gather her courage.

au fur et à mesure

grandissant / gʁɑ̃disɑ̃ /verb

growing up

En grandissant, Ariane commence à réfléchir davantage au labyrinthe et à ses mystères.

Growing up, Ariane starts to think more about the labyrinth and its mysteries.

devenir adultemûrirprendre de l'âge

laisse / lɛs /verb

leaves

Elle pense à sa famille, à ses responsabilités de princesse et à ce qu'elle laisse derrière elle.

She thinks about her family, her responsibilities as a princess, and what she leaves behind.

abandonnerquitterpartir

réfléchissant / ʁefleʃisɑ̃ /verb

reflecting

En réfléchissant à son voyage, Ariadne ressent un profond sentiment de paix et de dessein.

While reflecting on her journey, Ariadne feels a deep sense of peace and purpose.

to ponderto considerto muse

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