Reading Notes: Ovid's Metamorphoses Books 1-4, Part A

For this week, I read books 1 and 2 of Ovid's Metamorphoses. 
Ovid is creative in the way he deals with the ancient old flood story. It focuses on the love of the two and their piety towards the gods. It also shows the gods and vengeful and cruel. The description is vivid and imaginative, and one of my favorite aspects of this story. 
In the story of Io, even though this is serious, there is some humor. Ovid does something interesting in that even though Jupiter is a horrible rapist, the reader hates Juno more and doesn't want her to find out about Jupiter's infidelity because she will be unjust. There is much sympathy for Io, who brought none of this on herself. It is always good to make the reader upset because of injustice, as it means the writing and plot are good. 
In the story of Phaethon, already it is made apparent that Phaethon is arrogant and prideful. Ovid sets it up so that Phaethon is doomed to fail because of this. He do so in a beautiful way, though. He gets what he deserves. I like the way he not only describes what is happening to Phaethon, but also the damage he is causing around him. His description is beautiful: "the meadows turn white, the trees are consumed with all their leaves, and the scorched corn makes its own destruction." His death is sad, but it seems deserved. It doesn't seem fair that a mother should lose all of her children within the same period. 
In the next story, Callisto seems like an awesome character, and Jupiter just has to rape her. This may be more tragic that Io, as Callisto is so strong before Jupiter rapes her, and after she is shamed. Once again, Juno is made to look worse than Jupiter, although she is as much innocent of her husband's infidelity as Callisto is. If one were to look at how unjust her situation is with an unfaithful, yet all-powerful husband, it makes sense that she takes her anger out on innocent women, even if it unfair. This is a very interesting creation story of the constellations. It would be interesting to write a constellation creation story. 
With the story of Semele, another rape, another fury. It seems apparent that neither Jupiter not Juno evolve in any way a part from this. It is unique that Jupiter gives birth, as that is not a common theme. All in all, there are some great stories ideas, as the characters are very deep and rich and the plot is unique.

Ovid. Metamorphoses. Source link: Part A

Image Information: "Garfield Meets Zeus" by Colin Foster, 2005. Source: Sromg Explained