Violence In Ovid's Metamorphoses

Ovid’s Metamorphoses is a work devoted to defining Roman society; a work that critiques Augustus and his legislation; and an epic that competes in popularity with Vergil’s Aeneid. Using mythology, Ovid tries to convey political messages discreetly.
Throughout the Metamorphoses, Ovid sets a significant amount to discussing about women who are victims of male domination and violence. The women depicted in the Metamorphoses are victims of a dominating male figure, however Ovid uses the stories of violence committed against them in exposing the character flaws of Roman men. Readers must realize that living in Augustan Rome, Ovid himself was also in a difficult position and his position as a poet was also silenced in a similar way. Ovid’s life as a censored poet in Augustan Rome partially reflects the experience of
However, Philomena and Procne seem to have won in the end by executing and succeeding in their revenge against Terseus. The character of Philomena may have represented Ovid and if so, he may have been trying to comment on the inability to express oneself due to the conformist and authoritarian reign of Augustus. The narratives presented throughout the book are woven in and out of wit and humor not solely for entertainment purposes, but also to critique policies in Augustan Rome.
Furthermore, Ovid discreetly shows his defiance to Augustus in the closing of the Metamorphoses. He adheres to the traditional acceptance of the divine poet. Although Ovid is careful in concealing his intentions in a mask of prayer, he continues to criticize Augustus. Furthermore, Ovid declares that poets are divinely inspired and therefore, real godlike beings. Unlike Ovid, Augustus and other rulers can only hope to be deified after their death. The exaltation of the poet is clearly an important goal in Ovid’s work. Poetic eminence far more endures than the greatness of an