Metamorphoses (eBook)

Ovid (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
650 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654739486-0 (EAN)

Infos

Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' stands as an iconic masterpiece in the canon of Western literature, offering readers over 250 myths woven into a continuous narrative that traces the creation and transformation of the world. Its elegiac couplets, a hallmark of Ovid's poetic dexterity, present a vast array of transformations—both physical and emotional—as gods and mortals intertwine in stories that range from the sublime to the tragic. A remarkable work within the Augustan age of Latin literature, 'Metamorphoses' transcends the traditional epic and assumes a unique place as a cornerstone of mythopoetic storytelling, resonating richly with allegorical and cultural significance.

As a formidable figure of Roman literature, Ovid's own background as an educated elite in a time of political and social transformation undoubtedly influenced the thematic currents of change and permanence in 'Metamorphoses.' Born in 43 BCE and later exiled by Emperor Augustus, Ovid drew from his depth of classical learning and personal experiences, seamlessly blending Hellenistic themes and Roman ideologies within his poetic endeavor to craft a text that is as much a commentary on human nature and contemporary society as it is a tapestry of mythic narratives.

'Metamorphoses' remains an indispensable treasure, inviting scholars, poets, and general readers to explore its elaborate mosaic of storytelling. Its impact on Western art and literature cannot be overstated, making it essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the cultural and intellectual heritage from antiquity to the present day. This compilation of myths is recommended not only for its sweeping narrative scope but also for its profound insights into the constancy of change, reflecting the timeless human quest for meaning and identity in an ever-evolving world.

Autor

Publius Ovidius Naso, commonly known as Ovid, was a classical Roman poet who thrived during the reign of Augustus and the early years of Tiberius's reign. Born on March 20, 43 B.C.E. in Sulmo, now Sulmona, he was best known for his captivating work 'Metamorphoses' (circa 8 C.E.), a powerful collection of mythological and legendary transformations rendered in hexameter verse. This literary masterpiece synthesizes the Roman and Hellenistic traditions of mythography, spanning from creation to Julius Caesar's apotheosis, illustrating over 250 tales of metamorphosis with dexterity and imaginative brilliance. Ovid's writings not only provide insight into ancient myth and lore but also reflect his own artistic milieu and the psychological landscape of his characters. A versatile poet, Ovid's oeuvre includes other significant works such as 'Amores', 'Ars Amatoria', and 'Fasti', though 'Metamorphoses' remains the most emblematic of his profound influence on Western art and literature. His elegant and sophisticated style, characterized by wit, rhetorical refinement, and an inventive use of the elegiac couplet, has earned him a place among the canonical poets of Latin literature. Ovid's later life was marred by his inexplicable exile to Tomis by Emperor Augustus in 8 A.D., a poignant subject he explored in 'Tristia' and 'Epistulae ex Ponto'. Despite his physical isolation, Ovid's literary legacy continued to metamorphose, inspiring works of countless poets, playwrights, and artists through the ages.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 13.11.2022
• Übersetzer: Henry Thomas Riley
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Ethnologie ► Volkskunde
• Schlagworte: Achilles • Alexander the Great • ancient roman poets • Beowulf • Classical literature • Classical Studies • Epic Poetry • greek and roman myths • iliad • Ken Follett • Latin epic poems • Marcus Aurelius • Metamorphosis in literature • mythological transformations • odyssey • Ovid's poetry • Robert Graves • Roman Mythology • sapiens • Trojan War