Reading Notes: Ovid's Metamorphoses part B
Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated by Tony Kline
Echo and Narcissus
For both characters, the person that they wanted was unattainable. They both wasted away pining for their love.
Pyramus and Thisbe
The story here has been retold many times and in many ways. The idea of tragic star-crossed lovers is something that appeals to most audiences. They never get a happy ending. Maybe just once they should get a happy ending.
Mars and Venus
Vulcan, Venus's husband, found out she was cheating on him with Mars, so he laid a trap for them to prove their infidelity to the other gods. The other gods made a joke of it, however. Vulcan couldn't win, no matter what he did. Writing the story in his perspective might give him more credit and help us understand what he is going through.
Perseus and Andromeda
Perseus is presented like a hero, however, it seems like he does things more for himself than for others. He only agreed to save Andromeda after her parents agreed to let them get married. Maybe it is less common in these stories to save someone for the sake of helping. Andromeda had zero control in this situation; it was her mom's fault she was being sacrificed, and Perseus fought for her only after getting her parents consent to marry her.
Perseus and Medusa
Medusa is a tragic character. She is raped by a god, and because it just happened to be in a place where Minerva could see, Minerva cursed her. And instead of someone trying to help her, she is killed so her head could be used as a weapon. Maybe instead of killing her, Perseus could have convinced the gods to change her back.
Echo and Narcissus
For both characters, the person that they wanted was unattainable. They both wasted away pining for their love.
Pyramus and Thisbe
The story here has been retold many times and in many ways. The idea of tragic star-crossed lovers is something that appeals to most audiences. They never get a happy ending. Maybe just once they should get a happy ending.
Mars and Venus
Vulcan, Venus's husband, found out she was cheating on him with Mars, so he laid a trap for them to prove their infidelity to the other gods. The other gods made a joke of it, however. Vulcan couldn't win, no matter what he did. Writing the story in his perspective might give him more credit and help us understand what he is going through.
Perseus and Andromeda
Perseus is presented like a hero, however, it seems like he does things more for himself than for others. He only agreed to save Andromeda after her parents agreed to let them get married. Maybe it is less common in these stories to save someone for the sake of helping. Andromeda had zero control in this situation; it was her mom's fault she was being sacrificed, and Perseus fought for her only after getting her parents consent to marry her.
Perseus and Medusa
Medusa is a tragic character. She is raped by a god, and because it just happened to be in a place where Minerva could see, Minerva cursed her. And instead of someone trying to help her, she is killed so her head could be used as a weapon. Maybe instead of killing her, Perseus could have convinced the gods to change her back.
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