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Argus, a monster from ancient Greek and Roman mythology, best known for his watchful eyes appears in book one of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Book one ends with the story of Jove (the Roman name for Zeus king of the gods in Greek mythology) and Io. In this myth Jove turns his new lover, Io, into a “white and shinning” heifer to hide her from his wife, Juno. Knowing the true identity of the this young cow , Juno requests her as a present, and in order not to arouse his wifeÕs suspicions he gives Io to her. Juno then puts her in the custody of Argus
who had a hundred eyes; two at a time,
No more than two, would ever close in slumber,
The rest kept watch. No matter how he stood,
Which way her turned, he always looked at Lo.
According to the myth, Jove hires Mercury to kill Argus and that Juno fastens his hundred eyes on the tail of her peacock to that it might be spread with jewels.
Carlyle uses his reference to Argus’ eyes to represent the eyes of the public, implying that the eyes of the public and their social influences never rest. Public opinion acts as the police in a society that feigns what Carlyle calls a “superior morality” based not on spiritual guidance but on outward appearances and material goods.
Last modified 24 March 2010