Interpretation Of Ovid's Metamorphoses

Ovid’s Metamorphoses is a narrative poem that chronicles the history of the world from within a loose mythico-historical framework. Throughout the work, many instances of the titular action, a metamorphose, takes place. Per the Oxford English Dictionary, a metamorphose is an action where one “changes in form; turns into or to something else by supernatural means.” One transformation that occurred was when Arachne was turned into a spider by Pallas Athena, after her attempt to subvert the power of the Goddess through a weaving competition. However, Ovid puts a different spin on the tale, diverting from the interpretation of the tale as a one-dimensional example of a character being punished for hubris. Although the characters do show hubris,
This describes Arachne’s tapestry as being perfect, with no faults. When someone is envious of another, it is easy to conjure up imperfections about them. However, when even Envy cannot create any wrongs, one can tell a piece of work is perfect. Pallas then becomes angry of the perfection, which can be seen in the following quote: “Incensed at such success the warrior goddess, golden-haired, tore up the tapestry, those crimes of heaven, and with the boxwood shuttle in her hand (Box of Cytorus) three times, four times, struck Arachne on her forehead” (125). Pallas does not just become angry, she becomes “incensed”, enraged. Pallas’s hair is also described as golden as she tears up the tapestry, showing her god-status and her extreme rage. Not only that, Pallas strikes Arachne’s forehead four times with a stick. This incident makes it seem that Pallas cannot handle losing to a mere mortal, whose tapestry was even disrespectful to the gods. Also, it seems that Pallas is censoring Arachne’s art. Tapestries are supposed to last a long time, and many people would be able to see the immoral acts the gods committed. However, by tearing it up, Pallas removes any wrongdoings from the god’s
Arachne is described as a poor wretch, which is supported by her tapestry being destroyed and her being beaten by a goddess. The word brave gives her act of suicide a deeper meaning. Arachne knows that the gods will abuse her and humans further so she decides to end her life so it will stop. Then, right after what Pallas did to her, she feels pity for Arachne, showing a recognition that her actions were unfair and unjustified. Arachne is then transformed into a spider, which harbors her from the wrath of her gods, but still allowed to practice a form of what she loved, weaving. Through the supernatural means of transformation, the metamorphosis into a spider, creates a new life for