Heeding Warnings In Ovid's Metamorphoses

In reading Ovid’s Metamorphoses, I noticed a distinct pattern of consequences directly related to the failure of heeding warnings. In the myth of Phaethon and his father, My Etiological understanding of the events begin with Phaethon asking for an unreasonable request from his father, Phoebus, in wanting to drive the sun chariot. The Sun warns, “you ask too great a favor, and one that is unfitting for your strength and boyish years.”… In this warning, I see a timeless warning that may have applied to Athenian culture; not to be overambition or try to fit into shoes too big for one’s feet.
An example is made when Phaethon does not listen to his father’s prediction of consequences, and with this low understanding of the danger, Phaethon loses …show more content…
The two lovers enjoy each other’s company when Venus explains, “I will tell, and you will wonder, at the monstrous result of an ancient crime,” and proceeds to tell why Adonis should be wary of naturally armed wildlife. Through her story of Atlanta and Hippomenes, a young man can win against the fastest woman alive in order to marry her, with the help of Venus. With no gratitude towards his helper, Venus eventually gets revenge by turning the sinning couple into lions. Etiologically, I understand the this as a lesson to encourage appreciation when receiving help and not to remain self-absorbed. I see further Etiology when Adonis does not take caution around a wild boar and dies. This may have been a common myth to warn children of the dangers of wild animals. My Teleological understanding is with Venus’s response to both the lovers in her story and Adonis’s death. She creates an understanding of the nature of lions when she transforms the personalities of the desecrating lovers into the beasts. She also explains the existence and meaning behind the wildflower, Anemone, as well as its red color, when she grows the flowers in Adonis’s spilt