Golden apples, in a garden at the edge of the world. The first problem is that nobody knows where it is.
The Labours of Heracles · C2
Labour Eleven: The Apples of the Hesperides
Not so much… as, come what may, be it, whereupon, hitherto, a tall order, much as, would that, beg to differ and the fact remains: C2 English for a sea god who changes shape, a Titan in chains, and a Titan who holds up the sky.
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SOPHIA
DEMETRIA
Then how does he find it?
The story
After the old stories of Heracles
The garden was not so much a garden as a fortress guarded by a dragon. To find it, Heracles caught Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea, who changed into every creature he could, be it lion, serpent or fire; but come what may, Heracles would not let go.
In the Caucasus, Heracles shot the eagle that tormented Prometheus, whereupon the Titan was free at last. Prometheus revealed a way hitherto unknown to any mortal: let Atlas fetch the apples.
Holding up the sky while Atlas went was a tall order. Much as Heracles admired Atlas, he had no intention of holding the sky for ever. “Would that I had never agreed to this!” he groaned.
When Atlas insisted that he would deliver the apples himself, Heracles begged to differ, and tricked him into taking the sky back. Admire the trick if you like; the fact remains that the apples belonged to the gods.
Not so much… as; be it
PHILO
It was not so much a garden as a fortress.
DEMETRIA
Every shape, be it lion or serpent, was still Nereus.
SOPHIA
not so much X as Y = more accurately Y. be it X or Y = whether it is X or Y, an old subjunctive.
Come what may; whereupon; hitherto
MARCOS
Come what may, he wouldn’t let go!
PHILO
He shot the eagle, whereupon Prometheus was free, and revealed a way hitherto unknown.
SOPHIA
come what may = whatever happens. whereupon = immediately after which. hitherto = until then.
A tall order; much as; would that
MARCOS
Holding up the sky? A tall order.
SOPHIA
A fixed idiom. And Much as he admired Atlas… = although he admired him very much. Would that I had never agreed! = if only.
Beg to differ; the fact remains
DEMETRIA
Heracles begged to differ. And the fact remains that the apples belonged to the gods.
SOPHIA
beg to differ is a polite formula for disagreeing. the fact remains that… insists on a truth.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| not so much X as Y; be it X or Y | more accurately Y; whether it is | not so much a garden as a fortress |
| come what may; whereupon; hitherto | whatever happens; after which; until then | whereupon he was free |
| a tall order; much as + clause | a difficult task; although very much | Much as he admired him, … |
| would that…; beg to differ; the fact remains | literary wish; polite disagreement; insisting | The fact remains that… |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the best form.
1. It was not so much a garden ___ a fortress.
2. ___, he would not let go.
3. He shot the eagle, ___ Prometheus was free.
4. A route ___ unknown to mortals.
5. Holding up the sky is a ___ order.
6. ___ as he admired Atlas, he refused.
B · Write
Write the missing word.
7. Every creature, it lion or serpent, was still Nereus.
8. that I had never agreed to this! (literary wish)
9. Heracles begged to .
10. The fact that the apples belonged to the gods.
C · Which is correct?
Is it correct?
11. “Much as I’d like to help, I can’t.”
12. “It was not so much a garden than a fortress.”
13. “Come what may, we sail at dawn.”
Now play Labour Eleven yourself, as Heracles!Play the gamebook →