Why did Aurora ask Zeus to grant immortality to Tithonus?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The core motivation for Aurora's request was her profound love for the mortal Tithonus.
As an immortal goddess, she wanted to prevent their eventual separation by his natural death.
By making him immortal, she believed they could live together as lovers for all eternity.
This desire to preserve their relationship forever is the central reason for her appeal to Zeus.

Option A: This is factually incorrect. Aurora (Eos) was the goddess of the dawn. Tithonus was a mortal prince of Troy.
Option B: This is a geographical error. Tithonus was a prince of Troy (in modern-day Turkey), not Rome.
Option D: The myth does not suggest Tithonus was in immediate danger of dying from old age, sickness, or injury when the request was made. Aurora's action was proactive, aimed at securing their future, not a reactive measure to save his life.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Greek/Roman Mythology: The Story of Aurora and Tithonus as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question is from general knowledge, not a clinical subject. However, the story's moral has broad relevance.
The myth of Aurora and Tithonus is a powerful cautionary tale about unintended consequences.
In any profession, including nursing, it highlights the importance of considering all potential outcomes before making a decision or intervention. A treatment might solve one problem but create another, much like immortality without youth.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key figures in the question: Aurora, Zeus, and Tithonus.
Recall or deduce their roles from general knowledge of mythology. Aurora is the goddess of the dawn, Zeus is the king of the gods, and Tithonus is her mortal lover.
Analyze the core of the question: 'Why grant immortality?'. This asks for the motivation behind Aurora's request.
Evaluate the options based on the fundamental theme of the story, which is a goddess's love for a mortal and her desire to overcome the barrier of death.
Option C, 'Aurora could live with her lover Tithonus for eternity,' directly addresses this central motivation.
Eliminate the other options as they contain factual errors (Tithonus was not a god or a Roman prince) or misrepresent the primary motivation (it wasn't about an imminent death).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.