Download Ovid`s Metamorphoses Read books 1 (Daphne and Phoebus Apollo

Ovid’s Metamorphoses
Read books 1 (Daphne and Phoebus Apollo, aka "The Transformation of
Daphne into a Laurel"), 4 (Pyramus and Thisbe sections), and 15
(Aesclepius Saves Rome from Plague through Ovid's Envoi) of Ovid's
Metamorphoses, the text of which is provided below. You may also read this
fine introduction to and synopsis of the books of Metamorphoses. This is
another Roman "epic" written in a more satirical vein. Do you recognize some
of the historical and mythological themes from the Greek epic songs? Greek
mythology? Roman mythology relies heavily on the Greek which preceded it;
Romans considered themselves - much like the Macedonian conquerors before
them - the heirs of Greek culture and ingenuity.
- Book I (Phoebus - AKA Apollo - Sees Daphne through Phoebus Honors
Daphne)
- Book IV (Pyramus and Thisbe, Death of Pyramus, Death of Thisbe)
- Book XV (Aesclepius Saves Rome from Plague through Ovid's Envoi)
- Full text in translation: http://classics.mit.edu/Ovid/metam.html
Study Questions for Aeneid and Metamorphoses - (discussed in class)
1. What are some parallels to/borrowings from the Odyssey that you can see in
the Aeneid? How are these epic poems similar? How are they different, in
content and purpose? Do Odysseus and Aeneas have anything in common? Are
there any similarities in their adventures?
2. Ovid, author of Metamorphoses, was not as well-received by the Roman
establishment as Vergil, author of the Aeneid. Can you see why, given his
treatment of various gods and Greco-Roman heroes in this poem? How is his
treatment different than the 'epics' which came before?