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Ovid's Metamorphoses: The Age of Heroes (Lecture on Books VI-X) (Patreon)

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2025-02-09 21:11:53
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Content

'Take care,' he said, 'To fly a middle course, lest if you sink too low the waves may weight your feathers; if too high, the heat may burn them. Fly half-way between the two.'

Today we continue our immersion in one of the most extraordinary works of classical antiquity. We are now in the Age of Heroes in Ovid's Metamorphoses and will enjoy a curation of more epic set-pieces, profound poetry, and wise life advice.

We're discussing the hero's journey, virtuous living, heroes vs gods, the symbolism of dragons, art's power of communication, self-talk, scorned love, revenge, and much more.

Please do feel free to enjoy the discussion even if you haven't read up to these books yet or dip in as best suits your personal reading journey.

Timestamps:

0:00 welcome to the Age of Heroes

1:00 what does it mean to be a hero?

3:00 the common traits of heroes

6:00 narrative of the hero’s journey

8:00 what is the point of a quest?

9:00 heroes of the classical world

10:00 difference of heroes & gods

11:00 on Greek vs Roman heroes

14:00 having the virtue of courage

16:00 hero as ideal of humanity

18:00 the utility of mythic types

19:00 the hero’s journey of our life

20:00 story of Minerva & Arachne

23:00 Arthur Golding’s interpretation

24:00 art as agon & anxiety of influence

26:00 literary technique of ekphrasis

28:00 dominant aesthetic love languages

30:00 the tapestry weaving contest

32:00 didactic/moral purpose of art

34:00 the story of Niobe vs Latona

36:00 the power of metafictionality

38:00 story of Procne & Philomela  

42:00 art’s communicative power

44:00 the story of Jason & Medea

46:00 psychologically complex self-talk

48:00 popularity of Medea’s character

50:00 Jason wins the Golden Fleece

52:00 psychology & symbolism of dragons

55:00 Medea wreaks her revenge

58:00 foundational secondary works

59:00 when the Greek world is at war

1:00:00 origin story of the Myrmidons 

1:02:00 the golden spear of Cephalus

1:04:00 Scylla falls in love with Minos

1:07:00 traitor transformed in punishment

1:09:00 Minotaur in the Cretan labyrinth

1:11:00 Theseus & Ariadne vs Minotaur

1:12:00 the story of Daedalus & Icarus 

1:13:00 a warning to fly a midway course

1:15:00 how to live a virtuous life

1:18:00 Aristotelian pride vs hubris

1:21:00 Meleager & Atalanta vs the boar

1:24:00 stories of the river god Achelous

1:25:00 the tale of Erysichton vs Ceres

1:27:00 the story of Achelous & Hercules

1:29:00 the story of the death of Hercules

1:31:00 the story of Orpheus & Eurydice

1:34:00 the story of Jupiter & Ganymede

1:35:00 appreciating the story of Pygmalion 

1:38:00 the story of Venus & Adonis

1:40:00 ranking your favourite stories

1:41:00 what are you making of Ovid?

Resources to Explore:

  • Music Appreciation: Here is a small curation of powerful works inspired by the stories contained within these books: Milton Babbitt's haunting electroacoustic Philomel, Monteverdi's extraordinary L'Orfeo, Jóhann Jóhannson's beautiful Orphée, Patricia Barber's jazz song cycle Mythologies, Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld. To what extent do you think music captures the epic substance of Ovid's work and the heart of these iconic stories? Let us know if you encounter any more pieces that you have fallen in love with during your reading.

  • Film Appreciation: There are so many tremendous films inspired by the disparate myths that Ovid weaves together. Pick one that calls out to you and treat yourself to a viewing to complement your deep reading. Jason and the Argonauts (1963) is great fun with its vintage stop-motion animation for the legendary monsters. My Fair Lady (1964), starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, is based on George Bernard Shaw's stage play retelling of the story of Pygmalion, and is one of my personal favourite movies. Then, of course, you've got the fabulous Disney film Hercules (1997) and Jean Cocteau's interpretation of the Orpheus story in Orphée (1950).

  • Art Appreciation: One of my favourite things to do when reading Ovid's Metamorphoses is to pull up a bunch of different representations of the myths and enjoy the various visual interpretations. Here is a short video appreciating Brueghel's 'Landscape with the Fall of Icarus.' And here is a wonderful video of Mary Beard talking with great passion about Ovid and appreciating several of Titian's works. From this part of the Metamorphoses, compare how he renders the Venus and Adonis story. If you want to appreciate Titian, you may like the National Gallery's publication Titian: Love, Desire, Death. And here is a lovely little video which shows Frederic Leighton's depiction of Orpheus and Eurydice whilst narrating Robert Browning's poem 'Orpheus to Eurydice.' Compare that rendering of the myth with Edward Poynter's Orpheus and Eurydice.

  • Shakespeare: Lovers of Shakespeare will continue to enjoy identifying how thoroughly Ovid influenced the bard. A little later this month, we will have a special lecture on The Tempest as part of our read-through of the complete works of Shakespeare. Even if you aren't following this project in-depth, you may wish to enjoy this Ovidian masterpiece as a standalone or as an entrance into the bard. Or you could check out some more works inspired by this part of Ovid's Metamorphoses. Titus Andronicus immediately leaps to mind, as does the bard's early narrative poem Venus and Adonis. For something light-hearted, A Midsummer Night's Dream is always fun to return to. You may also enjoy this clip of bardolator and scholar Jonathan Bathe discussing Ovid's influence on Shakespeare.

  • Non-Fiction: Here are the secondary works we mentioned during the lecture. All are fantastic resources to have on hand over the course of a reading journey. If they're new to you, I'd recommend starting by just picking up the one that most piques your curiosity and dipping into it as your interest dictates: European Literature and the Latin Middle Ages by Ernst Robert Curtius, The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, Lord Raglan's study of The Hero, The Anxiety of Influence by Harold Bloom, Mimesis by Erich Auerbach, Sir James Frazer's The Golden Bough, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics.

  • Exercise: As you read through Ovid's Metamorphoses, continue making a note of the stories that captivate or resonate with you the most. We'll whittle our longlists down to a personal top ten once we've made it to the end of this powerful work and then we will be try to discover some commonalities that link our favourites together. It will be interesting to note if the common traits in our favourites are also elements that resonate with us in stories outside of Ovid too.

Reading Assignment:

Our next discussion will cover books eleven to fifteen, which will take us through the Age of History and to the climax of this epic. So continue journeying through this marvellous work, meeting those iconic figures, and noting down any themes, scenes, or ideas that resonate with you.

Questions for You:

1) Which are your personal favourite stories so far?

2) Is there a central message that ties all of Ovid's stories together?

3) What does your hero's journey look like right now? What dragons must you defeat?

4) Why did Ovid inspire so many musicians, artists, and writers over the course of history?

And please do share with us your favourite passages, characters, and ideas from Ovid's Metamorphoses so far.

Happy reading, everybody!

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Comments

mark sanford gross

I just finished my narrative on my ten moments. I don't want to abuse my space in comments. How best to share? This was an incredible read. Thank you Ben and all.

mark sanford gross

What an amazing journey you have taken us on, Mr. McEvoy. Thank you and everyone for the comments and continued company along this road. I spent time revisiting, reliving, and trying to summarize my top tales, but there is something in everyone. I'm sharing my thoughts in snippets in separate posts of my 'top 10." Here's the first set of two. :) Metamorphoses on the Bluffs: Finding Ovid in Nature's Transformations I discovered Ovid's Metamorphoses under the leadership of Ben McEvoy on another of his Hard Core Literature journeys. I listened to it each morning while hiking my daily walks along the Northern California Pacific bluffs. It's here, where birds live their most natural lives, rock formations take shape in the mind's eye, trees seem to reach out, and nature is undeniably alive. The clouds tell stories, the ravens dive, and the peacocks roam the yards outside. What better setting to immerse oneself in Metamorphoses than while taking each step on nature's path...listening to Ovid, almost as my outside guide. I saw the faces, felt the yearning and the fears and the exiles, and felt the transformations – all of them coming alive on my daily hike with my dog. It was a time of reflection and honor, celebrating these tales and all their characters and how they live on each day if we only open our eyes. Walking these bluffs, surrounded by the constant change of nature, made Ovid's stories feel incredibly immediate. Today, I want to share the first two of my ten moments from Metamorphoses that particularly resonated with me during these walks, moments that highlighted the transformative power of myth." 1. Adonis's Tree Birth (Book X) Adonis's birth is a striking example of transformation. His mother, Myrrha, was changed into a myrrh tree, and he was born from its trunk. This is a literal and unsettling representation of motherhood and transformation. 2. Narcissus and Echo (Book III) The story of Narcissus, who becomes consumed by his reflection, and Echo, who can only repeat others' words, is a tragic exploration of self-obsession and unfulfilled desire. Book III, where this tale is found, delves deeply into human psychology. More soon. Have a great day all.

Gonzalo Broto

I'm in rapture over this work, there is so much imaginative and linguistic power in the lines and stories told by Ovid! From all the transformations of books VI-X my favorite was, by far, the story of Baucis and Philemon, perhaps because it's one of the (much less frequent) stories of reward, happiness and appreciation amid all the horror and revenge from most other stories. What a tender, sweet and lovely story from beginning to end!

mark sanford gross

Part 2 of my ten chosen moments from Ovid while listening to Metamorphoses along the Pacific bluffs. Thanks, everyone. See you at the closing. And, Ben as always....the best! 3. Centaur Carnage (Book XII) Book XII depicts the brutal battle between the Lapiths and Centaurs with vivid and graphic detail. Ovid does not shy away from portraying violence, emphasizing the savagery of conflict. 4. Cyllarus and Hylonome's Tender Goodbye (Book XII) Amidst the brutality of the centaur battle, the death of Cyllarus in Hylonome's arms provides a moment of tender affection. This stark contrast highlights the enduring power of love even in violent circumstances. 5. The Raven's Betrayal The story of Coronis, Apollo's lover, involves a raven who witnesses her infidelity. Originally white, the raven reports this to Apollo, who, in his anger, turns its feathers black. This tale explores themes of betrayal and divine retribution. 6. Ajax's Speech for Achilles' Armor After Achilles' death, Ajax and Odysseus both claim his armor. Ajax's speech is a powerful plea, emphasizing his strength, contributions to the war, and his close relationship with Achilles. It highlights the complexities of honor and merit. 7. Salmacis and Hermaphroditus: The Ultimate Merge Salmacis, enamored with Hermaphroditus, prays to the gods that they are forever united. When he bathes in her spring, they merge into one being, possessing both male and female characteristics. This myth explores themes of desire and the blurring of boundaries. 8. "Vivam!" Ovid's Declaration At the end of Metamorphoses, Ovid declares 'Vivam!' ('I will live'). This is a declaration of confidence that his poetry will transcend his physical death, ensuring his enduring legacy. 9. Iphis and Ianthe: Gender Bending Love The story of Iphis, born female but raised as a boy, and Ianthe explores themes of gender fluidity. Through divine intervention, Iphis is transformed into a man, allowing them to marry. This tale highlights the power of love to overcome societal expectations. 10. Myrrha's Disguise of Adonis Myrrha, fearing the dangers and potential tragedies that could befall her son, Adonis, disguised him as a young girl. This act was driven by a desire to protect him from the harsh realities and potential violence of manhood. It speaks to a mother's instinct to shield her child from harm and to manipulate fate itself. My Conclusion: "These ten moments from Ovid's Metamorphoses, experienced against the backdrop of the ever-changing Pacific bluffs, showcase the enduring power of myth to explore complex themes of human experience. For me, These stories continue to resonate, highlighting the transformative nature of life, love, and art. Just as the elements constantly reshape the bluffs, so too are we reshaped by the stories we carry with us." Not just for now but all the time ahead. Thanks, all

Judy

Thanks for the wonderful lecture, Benjamin. You led us in a smooth journey through this section, pointing out beauty and significance in places I had missed. Arachne is staying with me. I like when the dew highlights an orb weaver web in the garden.

Patrick Ellsworth

I've taken a long break from Ovid. I find the Gods so reprehensible that their actions are quite predictable. I like the poem, but mostly from a cultural perspective. It's wonderful to learn about the myths, but I don't find the stories all that intriguing. On another note, I just finished Mrs. Dalloway. What a terrific novel. I love how Woolf gets into the heads of multiple characters oftentimes in the same sentence. Her writing style is like none other. I particularly love Septimus; how tragic his fate is! I'm now midway through Orlando and it might be my favorite Woolf book yet. I read To the Lighthouse in college and loved it but don't remember it at all. It deserves a reread.

Catherine Egan

I’ve finished my first read through of Ovid’s Metamorphoses and the 10 highlights for me were/are: 1. Cephalus and Procris 2. Jason and Medea 3. Daedalus and Icarus 4. Baucis and Philemon-“the gods look after good people still, and cherishers are cherished.” 5. Iphis and Ianthe 6. Apollo and Daphne 7. Crux and Alcyone 8. Polyxena, Polydous, and Hecuba’s Revenge 9. Dido and Aeneas (love the Purcell opera!) 10. Glaucus What a bacchanal of lust, bondage, blood, and incest!

Susan Kay

I've made my way through Metamorphoses, both the written and an audible version. (The latter helps with name pronunciation.) With the "top ten stories" in mind I found myself initially captivated but ultimately disappointed by the character's motivations/actions or the mean spiritedness of the gods. I want aspirational gods and heroes! I came to realize that Ovid intended to display the transformative nature of every damn thing... That is a bridge too far for this battered progressive living out a seemingly godless, hero-free reality in the US. As I think back on the endless turns and twists of the many myths I came to admire the portrayal of some aspects of our shared existence such as Rumor. I believe it is called apotheosis. The depiction of Rumor's large home of open doors sitting at the juncture of the water, land, and sky- hearing indistinct echoes of everything- is brilliant. Also, I've fallen in love all over again with the daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus. What they offer so enriches my life and now I only hope that they can further facilitate our creativity and enlightenment. I'm glad to be on this journey with all of you.

Kim B

This book has been such an unexpected gift. When I started reading I recalled learning about the Roman & Greek gods and goddesses at the age of maybe 12 or so. And all of the enjoyment came back to me of learning the myths. And I also recalled learning about the constellations. Astronomy. I had forgotten these things were all so magical to me in childhood. Thank you for reminding me of some childhood pleasures I had forgotten. Now about those rapes and the unbridled killing...