Ovid

Question 1

Introduciton to Ovid (43BC - 17/18ad)

his works and the period he lived in

Answer 1

Predominantly known as a ‘love elegist’.
Extremely popular poet both then and now – one of the Latin ‘canon’.
Famous works:
The Heroides		
The Amores
Ars Amatoria (https://www.ovidandtheartoflove.com)
The Fasti
Tristia
Epistulae ex Ponto
The Metamorphoses

Question 2

see ovid and the art of love on netflix

Answer 2

do it :)

Question 3

The metamorphoses (= ‘Transformations’)

Answer 3

15 books – 11995 lines – LATIN (so Roman names!)
Chronicles the history of the world from its creation to the present day, with a mythico-historical framework – covers over 250 myths.

Proem
“My mind leads me to speak of forms changed
into new bodies: O gods, inspire
this undertaking (which you’ve changed as well)
and guide my poem in its epic sweep
from the world’s beginning to the present day.”

Question 4

The gist of the myth

Actaeon and Diana

Diana=Artemis

Answer 4

Actaeon = grandson of Cadmus (Theban king), a young hunter.
Accidentally encounters a naked Diana enjoying a bath in a spring with the help of her escort of nymphs.
Emphasis on the virginal nature of the group (“celibate Diana”, “virgin comrades”)
Diana splashes water at Actaeon, which turns him into a deer - the ‘metamorphosis’ part – “making do with what she had, scooped up water and flung it in Actaeon’s face”.
Actaeon, robbed of his ability to speak, flees the scene in fear.
Killed by his own hunting dogs.

Question 5

The Death of Actaeon (3.299 - 317)

Answer 5

“…torn by their teeth, he makes
a sound no man would make and no stag either,
a cry that echoes through those well-known heights;
and kneeling as a suppliant in prayer,
he turns toward them, pleading with his eyes,
as a man would with his hands. But his companions
loudly encourage the ferocious pack,
all unaware…
the frenzy of the dogs
who press around him, thrusting pointed snouts
into the savaged body of their master,
convinced that he’s a stag. And it is said
he did not die until his countless wounds
had satisfied Diana’s awful wrath.”

Question 6

NarcissusBook 3

Answer 6

Walking in the woods, the nymph Echo falls madly in love with Narcissus.
BUT he rejects her advances (“Hands off! No Hugs! I’ll die before you’ll have your way with me!”), and she flees heartbroken.
This is a pattern of behaviour for Narcissus – Nemesis notices this and decides upon revenge!
Lures Narcissus to a pool, where he falls madly in love with the sight of his own reflection.
He eventually realizes that, this time, HIS love cannot be reciprocated.
Transformed upon death into a gold and white flower.

Question 7

Narcissus (3.538 – 557)

Answer 7

“Transfixed, suspended like a figure carved
from marble, he looks down at his own face…
…he admires all that he’s admired for,
for it is he that himself desires,
all unaware; he praises and is praised,
seeks and is the one seeking;
kindles the flame and is consumed by it.
How many times, in vain, he leans to kiss
the pool’s deceptive surface to plunge
his arms into the water, keen to clasp
the neck he glimpses but cannot embrace;
and ignorant of what it is he looks at,
he burns for what he sees there all the same,
aroused by the illusion that deceives him.”

Question 8

Themes of Narcissus

Answer 8

What are the similarities between these two myths?
Both myths focus on the GAZE/notions of looking – or, more specifically, the DANGERS of looking – idea of “if looks could kill”.
Both involve a metamorphosis linked to death.

What are the differences?
Echo and Narcissus more about unrequited love vs. Diana and Actaeon story brings into question the reaction of the gods…. Was Diana justified?