Ovid,
Selected Love Stories
Ovid,
Selected Love Stories
Diana and Actaeon
Book 3, lines 132-257
After the preceding stories of divine loves, the story of Diana and Actaeon opens a series of stories on divine vengeance. Apollo and Jupiter stepped down from Olympus and into the neighborhood, that is to say, they are made to look like gods with human weaknesses. Diana also looks all too human when she lays down her dignity and turns into a spiteful, vindictive matron, more worried that someone might learn what she looks like "in the buff," than that she might lose the devotion of her worshippers.
There are many ironies throughout the story. What activities occupy Actaeon just before he seeks a resting place? What would an ancient have given as the reason for his success in the hunt?
When she realizes that she has been seen by Actaeon, how does Diana react? How thoughtful is she in her response? What is the tone of her statement to Actaeon?
What does Ovid show by mentioning many of Actaeon's dogs by name? What ironies are present in the account of his death?
What is the consensus of opinion about the response of the goddess? What is the implication of reporting the outcome this way?
Juno and Semele
Book 3, lines 258-338
What impact does the story of Diana and Actaeon have on Juno, and how does the earlier story lead into the present one?
You will remember Semele as the mother of Dionysus. Her house was smoldering in the foreground of the stage in Euripides's Bacchae. Ovid picks up the story from the time when Juno first learned that Semele was pregnant by Jupiter.
How secure and confident is Juno of her place in the Olympian order? How do her statements reflect her anxiety? Is she a different goddess from the one we saw in the story of Jupiter and Io?
What arguments does she use to persuade Semele to make Jupiter prove his identity to her?
What is ridiculous about how Jupiter prepares to visit Semele as himself?
Echo and Narcissus
Book 3, lines 339-509
Who tells this story and who is his audience
How does the theme of the vengeance of Juno apply to this story?
What prevents Narcissus from returning the love of any of his many admirers?
How do the metamorphoses of Echo and Narcissus reflect the peculiar nature of their problems in love? How does Narcissus's speech reflect ironically Echo's struggles for the affection of Narcissus?
Acoetes
Book 3, lines 510-end
What is the outcome of Acoetes's devotion to Liber (Dionysus)?
What is Pentheus's state of mind when he goes to the mountains to watch the worshippers of Liber? What simile does Ovid use to illustrate this?
Pyramus and Thisbe
Book 4, lines 1-167
How are the leading characters of this story different from others we have read in Ovid so far?
How is the relationship between Pyramus and Thisbe different from the other relationships? Who loves whom more?
Given the modesty of the characters, their humble circumstances, etc., what makes this story remarkable?
What Shakespearean play contains elements of this story?
The Rape of Proserpine
Book 4, lines 331-577
Why is Pluto targeted by Cupid? Why is Venus interested in his falling in love with Proserpine?
What fears does Venus have concerning the maiden before she sends Cupid on his mission? In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, remember, the issue was whether Persephone would be able to remain on earth or would be required to remain in the Underworld. What are the stakes that concern Venus?
What thoughts and anxieties reflect the youthfulness of Proserpine?
How is the metamorphosed Cyane able to help Ceres in her search for her daughter?
What, as Jupiter explains to Ceres, legitimizes the abduction of Proserpine?
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Revised: November 20, 1997