Tales From Ovid Analysis

Tales From Ovid, captures many obscene roman myths that specifically display questionable ideals of the Roman lifestyle. One of these ideals being the absent sense of female control over one’s body. As outlined in many myths throughout the book, Tereus seems to display this theme very powerfully. The story of Tereus, Philomela and Procne, takes the reader on a journey full of rape, mutilation and murder. Through the story of Tereus, specific examples support that although woman may have the power to undermine with words and emotion, they still remain defenseless when it comes to physical control, ultimately meaning they are powerless next to male dominance. From the beginning of the tale, Philomela is immediately taken advantage of and helpless as Tereus makes her his victim of his personal pleasure. Even though Philomela was originally a gift for Tereus’s wife, Procne, she became completely disregarded as a sister to his wife and immediately seen as an object. As soon as Tereus catches a glance at Philomela he immediately becomes infatuated with
Philomela resorting to her “mental” control, works on a scheme to get her sister’s attention, escape imprisonment and then seek revenge. By using her hands since she cannot use her tongue, she weaves the story into a tapestry and sends it to her sister. Once the tapestry is received by Procne, she immediately feels overwhelmed by the information she is being told. “By devouring single idea/Of revenge. Revenge/Had swallowed her whole being” (223). Even Procne felt the quick urge to seek revenge on her husband’s cheating and vicious act on her sister. Once reunited, the sisters plot a plan to blindside Tereus and attack him mentally in attempt to regain their