As readers go through the mythical poem, they feel that Niobe is a victim of the wrath of the gods. This is exactly what Ovid intended as he explains how the Roman goddess Latona, mother of the god Apollo and the goddess Diana, called for the death of Niobe's fourteen children as retaliation for Niobe's pride against the gods (136). The scene when Apollo and Diana kill Niobe's children is quite fearful for readers, as they have no remorse in regards to the age of each offspring. Ovid utilizes this fear of the gods power to have readers understand that one should never believe that they are stronger and above the gods. He puts this belief, which he teaches to readers, into action as Niobe receives an additional punishment for her pride against the gods. This reprimand intensifies the lesson as Niobe's "vitals hardened to rock," and readers are meant to interpret that she is turned into a small stone on Mount Sipylus
As readers go through the mythical poem, they feel that Niobe is a victim of the wrath of the gods. This is exactly what Ovid intended as he explains how the Roman goddess Latona, mother of the god Apollo and the goddess Diana, called for the death of Niobe's fourteen children as retaliation for Niobe's pride against the gods (136). The scene when Apollo and Diana kill Niobe's children is quite fearful for readers, as they have no remorse in regards to the age of each offspring. Ovid utilizes this fear of the gods power to have readers understand that one should never believe that they are stronger and above the gods. He puts this belief, which he teaches to readers, into action as Niobe receives an additional punishment for her pride against the gods. This reprimand intensifies the lesson as Niobe's "vitals hardened to rock," and readers are meant to interpret that she is turned into a small stone on Mount Sipylus