CL278 quiz #3 questions and answers! PDF

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Last quiz we did for the semester, quite comprehensive of Ovid's Metamorphoses and some themes treated in the work....

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Daniela Ventura CL 278 Prof. Govero 29/04/2021 Quiz #3 A. In one or two paragraphs discuss the following topics as they are developed in Ovid's Metamophoses either expressly or as interpreted in class:

1. Narcissus and Echo — this myth is presented in Book III of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. It involves a young man, Narcissus, whose mother asked prophet Tiresias if her son will live to old age. He says yes, but only if her son never knows himself. Narcissus grows up to become a handsome young man, loved by everyone, but who never loves anyone. During a hunting trip, he is spotted by Echo, a forest nymph cursed by the goddess Juno to only be able to speak by repeating what she hears. She falls madly in love with the young boy, but can’t approach him if he doesn’t speak first. When he finally does, she has the chance to make herself known to him, but upon their encounter, he rejects her. Heartbroken, Echo hides in the forest and weeps until there’s nothing left of her but her voice. She will keep hiding in forests and caves for eternity, repeating the words of passersby. Noticing Narcissus refuse any romantic encounter, the gods fate that he will love something (or someone) who he can never have. Looking to quench his thirst, the young man stumbles upon a water clearing, untouched by any animal or human. He goes to drink and, at the first glance of his reflection, he is struck by love. Unaware that he’s just staring at himself, Narcissus tries to grasp and talk to the reflection, but with no success. Even when he realizes that he’s fallen in love with his appearance,

he is so desperate and obsessed that he remains there, staring at his reflection, until death (some versions say he dies of hunger, while others that he takes his own life). Witnessing the event, Echo feels pity for the man who hurt her so bad, and decides to turn his body into a flower. This myth fully reflects the main themes of the epic poem, of transformation (of Narcissus into a flower), godly power, and consuming love. The omnipotence and intervention of the gods is always reiterated through prophecies, punishments, and even rewards. However, the fulcrum of this specific story is fiery, unrequited passion. Echo and Narcissus represent two sides of the same coin, sharing contrasting feelings but being doomed to the same fate. Their love, ironically directed at the same person — Narcissus himself — brings them both to a sad destiny. In my opinion, although both protagonists have their share of faults, this myth is just another demonstration of how gods act out of spite, revenge, and overall human emotions, casting their curses and punishments on mortals who can’t possibly fight back. While, in Ovid’s version of history, both humans and deities are vulnerable to feelings, there is an excessive unbalance in what each of them can do about such emotions. 2.

Pythagoras — In Book XV of the Metamorphoses, Pythagoras makes a speech

supporting Ovid’s theme of transformation as well as another important value of his. He focuses on the two topics — vegetarianism, which Ovid was very passionate about, and the idea of metamorphosis as the law that rules the world. Pythagoras begins by inviting people to avoid meat and eat only plant-based products, because only animals eat the bodies of other animals. In the past, when people did not kill animals, life was better; he even goes as far as criticizing those who murder animals as a religious ritual, thinking that it will bring the

benevolence of the gods. Then, Pythagoras goes ahead and talks about the soul, arguing that it does not die, but it wanders from body to body, moving from humans to beasts and other living things; making an argument that the soul is immortal and no one should fear death, he also supports his previous argument of not killing animals in a sense, because killing an animal that had the same “type” of soul as a human would be just like murdering an actual human. Pythagoras also argues in favor of the instability of things, stating that everything is variable and renewable; nothing is born or dies, time continuously “glides” like a river. Even human life stages are unstable and in constant transformation, so much that he compares them to seasons — childhood to spring, summer to youth, autumn to maturity, and old age to winter. The philosopher uses his ideas of transformation to explain human history and its changes, strongly serving as a support to Ovid’s whole work. He argues that there’s a continuous cycle of decline and rise throughout civilizations and historical eras, mentioning the fall of Troy and the rise of Rome as examples; he even goes as far as predicting the great power that Rome would reach. This as well goes strongly in favor of Ovid. 3. Augustus and Apollo — Ovid’s epic poem can fit into the category of Augustan poetry, for two main reasons; first, he owed much of his success to the fact that the princeps highly regarded and promoted art, literature, and poetry during his reign. Second, he concludes his work in Book XV by telling the story of Caesar, Augustus’s father, who proclaimed his son’s exceptional success once inherited the power. The figures of Augustus and Apollo are linked through the concept of “Augustan Apollo” developed by J.F. Miller, who analyzed the historical context and event that brought the god and the

emperor together. Indeed, Augustus always claimed a “special connection” (Miller, 2009) with Apollo, and greatly popularized the god in Roman religion and society. Moreover, the princeps quite literally appropriates himself of the deity’s figure; the Augustan Apollo appears rooting for Augustus in many instances, like the victory at Actium against Anthony and Cleopatra. The encounter of Apollo with Daphne in Book I can also be read through Miller’s lens of Augustan Apollo. Taking into consideration Ovid’s etiological purposes when writing the Metamorphoses (i.e., his desire to explain the origin of phenomena and events), he interprets the origin of Apollo and Daphne’s myth as directly connected with Augustan victory. Indeed, the myth narrates that Apollo insulted Cupid for the uselessness of his arrow and bows, while with the same weapon he managed to win a battle with Python; offended by the god’s mockery, Cupid shoots his arrow at him making him fall in love with Daphne who, always because of an arrow, will never reciprocate. B. Read Ovid's myth of Pygmalion (Book X, lines 312 -371). How is this myth a eulogy/praise of human creativity? (2/3 paragraphs) Pygmalion was a skilled sculptor from Cyprus. Not being able to find love, he chooses to reject the idea of relationships and marriage, leading a life of art and solitude. One day, he decides to sculpt the statue of his ideal woman, and falls deeply in love with it. He courts her with gifts and jewels, giving her the love and affection one would give to a real woman. He asks the gods to make her his bride, a wish which Venus grants him. With time, Pygmalion realizes the madness and unhappiness of his condition, and begs Venus to stop his suffering. Finally, Venus has mercy on him and turns the statue into a real woman.

The themes of the myth of Pygmalion revolve around art and love. By devoting his life to his work, Pygmalion flees any negative repercussions caused by love (and the pains it brings). His work and art are an escape from reality, imperfect and sad. In this case, art no longer serves the theme of imitation — recurring also in myths like Narcissus and Echo — but as the “personification” of an ideal, which Pygmalion gets excessively attached to, to the point where it becomes harmful (and he even realizes it himself). In the myth, art and creativity are seen as the solution to live a dream life, satisfy needs and desires, and overall perceive the artistic process as a therapy, a cure for an incomplete, sad life. C. Which author, whom we read this semester, did you appreciate the most? Why? My favorite author this semester was Lucretius. I’ve always enjoyed myths, legends, and tales of gods and heroes, but I absolutely loved Lucretius’s take on the world, the universe, and the religion of his time. He’s the only one of his kind, at least among the authors we’ve read in class, so I found it refreshing to read about atomic theory, the swerve of particles, and the absolute indifference that gods have over human lives. Thanks to him, I have a newfound interest for Epicureanism, which I haven’t studied since high school, but which I plan on catching up with over the summer....