Ovid’s Metamorphoses
It has been some time since I have written. I have contemplated what this blog is supposed to be, and I how I should express my ideas. I have this thing I do where I am not completely speaking my honest thoughts in a review of a book. So I decided I should keep my reviews short while also accurately saying what I think about them. Over the next couple days, I will be updating a lot of the books I have read in the past year. Be prepared to see a new me!
Ovid’s Metamorphoses was fascinating. I realized I have to stop trusting anthologies of Greek and Roman myths because so much of it is the author’s perception of the primary sources. Additionally, you can’t even say that the translator is correct in interpreting the context surrounding the ancient text. Because of this, I have tried to stick to primary sources when learning more about ancient cultures.
All of Ovid’s stories in the Metamorphoses are emotional rollercoasters. Callisto’s story was just bad upon bad happening to the poor girl. It’s impossible to begin imagining how screwed up it is for Zeus to turn into his own daughter just to get with Callisto. This story revealed a lot about Greek morals, about how helpless mortals are often held to blame for the wrongdoings of the gods. Proserpine’s (Persephone) story is even more horrific. The way outside media (Lore Olympus, I’m looking at you) has romanticized Pluto and Proserpine’s relationship with Ceres as the bad guy does not line up with the actual account of the kidnapping. In the Roman times, girls got married in their mid teens. But if Ovid, a Roman poet, is saying that Proserpine WAS BUT A WEE CHILD, then the situation is beyond screwed up.
One myth I have never heard before reading the Metamorphoses that I believe deserves recognition is the story of Tereus, Procne, and Philomela. You have to read it for yourself to believe it. Like most Greek stories, a man acts psychotic towards women, but he actually gets what he deserves. This guy messes with the wrong two sisters, and ends up served as food to his own father. It’s awesome.
One peculiar detail I found in the Metamorphoses was a story about the Egyptian gods. It was peculiar how Ovid, being very religious and Roman, would have a happy story involving gods from a different religion. I did tons of research, and here is a paper I wrote to answer that question:
Divine Order and Devotion: Egyptian Maat and Roman Pietas in Ovid’s Byblis and Iphis
Not only are Ovid’s stories interesting, his craft is pretty good compared to other poets from his time. His use of similes and metaphors are intriguing, considering this text was written hundreds of years ago. This was a read I would recommend to anyone who likes Greek and Roman mythology. Don’t take the word of authors who write the stories in their own way. Read the direct translation of primary sources!
Update: I’m giving this masterpiece a 9/10!