Within Ovid’s Metamorphoses there are many transformations that are effective, and many that are not. Within this analytical piece, I am going to explore and analyse different transformations and describe what makes them effective. Ovid begins his account by addressing the gods and asking them to inspire him. He then goes on to describe the creation of the earth, and how the planet came to be.
The God Nature separated the elements that were in a “great mass”, and began to mould the earth into a round shape, parted the “translucent space” from the “cloudier atmosphere” and banished the winds into different regions. Then he began adding and creating new things, such as springs and trees, and eventually forged new beings to populate these spaces. …show more content…
In this story Ovid uses a literary technique called a story within a story, a common device used throughout the entirety of the metamorphoses. The story begins with Jupiter and Mercury looking for shelter and rest. They went to many houses, but only one household was kind enough to let them in. The owners of this house, Philemon and Baucis, allowed the two gods to stay with them, and fed them, despite being poor, and unable to provide well for themselves. The gods, who were thankful for the couple’s generosity, subtly refilled their mixing bowl and wine jug. The old couple, who wanted to accommodate their guests, decided to catch and kill their only goose to feed to the gods, however the gods ordered them to cease from their actions. They reveal that they are in fact Jupiter and Mercury and tell them to follow their footsteps up a mountain. Just as the group are reaching the top of the mountain, they turn around and see that their entire village has been submerged in water, with the exception of their house. Only it is no longer their house but a temple. Jupiter and Mercury ask the old pair what they wish, and Philemon asks that they both become priests at the temple and to die together, so that one may never have to be without the other. After the pair had served as priests at the
The God Nature separated the elements that were in a “great mass”, and began to mould the earth into a round shape, parted the “translucent space” from the “cloudier atmosphere” and banished the winds into different regions. Then he began adding and creating new things, such as springs and trees, and eventually forged new beings to populate these spaces. …show more content…
In this story Ovid uses a literary technique called a story within a story, a common device used throughout the entirety of the metamorphoses. The story begins with Jupiter and Mercury looking for shelter and rest. They went to many houses, but only one household was kind enough to let them in. The owners of this house, Philemon and Baucis, allowed the two gods to stay with them, and fed them, despite being poor, and unable to provide well for themselves. The gods, who were thankful for the couple’s generosity, subtly refilled their mixing bowl and wine jug. The old couple, who wanted to accommodate their guests, decided to catch and kill their only goose to feed to the gods, however the gods ordered them to cease from their actions. They reveal that they are in fact Jupiter and Mercury and tell them to follow their footsteps up a mountain. Just as the group are reaching the top of the mountain, they turn around and see that their entire village has been submerged in water, with the exception of their house. Only it is no longer their house but a temple. Jupiter and Mercury ask the old pair what they wish, and Philemon asks that they both become priests at the temple and to die together, so that one may never have to be without the other. After the pair had served as priests at the