When Leander drowns in the stormy waters of the Hellespont, it doesn't just mean the death of him as a human being; it also means the death of the passionate affair he has with Hero. The loss of Leander's love is just too much for the girl. And ironically, she decides that the only way to be with her lover is to join him in death—the very thing that took him away.

1. Was Leander truly aware of death as a consequence of his reckless swimming practices, or was he just a thoughtless youth? Why do you think so?
2. What could Hero and Leander have done differently to avoid the fatal consequences of their affair?
3. If we could go down to the Underworld and interview Hero and Leander, do you think they would say it was all worth it, or would they regret their decisions? Explain your answer.