Author Topic: Ovid's Metamorphoses (Read 126911 times)

ginny · « **on:** December 31, 2015, 06:48:44 PM »

Coming soon!

Metamorphosis. We all know what it is every time we look in the mirror.

And we are all familiar with Midas Mufflers, and the Midas Touch. We eat cereal with no thought as to where the word originated, and we think of Pluto, Jupiter, Callisto, Saturn, Mercury et al. as only planets, but have you ever wondered where those names all came from, and what they really mean? We know what an echo is, but do we know who she was?

2000 years ago Ovid wrote an epic poem called The Metamorphoses, about change and transformation. He was the favorite poet of the Renaissance, and influenced Chaucer, Shakespeare, Spenser, Marlowe, and Milton.

When did you last read him? Here's your chance! Why not join us in a bold new experiment in the New Year with something old and something new, (for us) : Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book I? It's available free, online, and can be read in 1/2 hour. We'll compare translations and see which we think is best and enjoy talking about the issues it raises. Come join us!

(The Lombardo translation is highly recommended, but there are tons of them available online, free. Here is a sampling, or please share with us another you've found which you like:)

---http://ovid.lib.virginia.edu/trans/Metamorph.htm#488381088---Translated by A.S. Kline...(This one has its own built in clickable dictionary)...

---http://classics.mit.edu /Ovid/metam.html...---Translated by Sir Samuel Garth, John Dryden, et al

---- http://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses1.html----Translated by Brookes More

Discussion Leaders: PatH and ginny

Jonathan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2016, 05:17:22 PM »

Wonderful. This is just what the world needs. Happy New Year.

PatH · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2016, 07:48:55 PM »

Welcome, Jonathan, it's great to see you here. I'm really looking forward to this discussion.

bellamarie · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2016, 11:51:05 AM »

Count me in!

ginny · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2016, 01:53:14 PM »

Jonathan and Bellamarie! Fabulous! Welcome!

Roxania · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2016, 04:21:04 PM »

I'm in!

ginny · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2016, 04:40:39 PM »

Roxania!~ Hooray! Welcome, welcome!

Venia · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2016, 11:08:29 PM »

Count me in too Ginny!

palmtree · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2016, 02:22:55 AM »

I think this is a wonderful idea and opportunity! Looking forward to it!

kidsal · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2016, 05:06:50 AM »

ginny · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2016, 09:58:03 AM »

Welcome, welcome, welcome! A triple welcome, Venia, Palmtree and Kidsal (Sally)!

So glad to see you here! Am so looking forward to this and hearing everybody's thoughts.

Welcome, All!

Halcyon · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2016, 11:19:10 AM »

Yes, Ginny! This is very exciting.

Frybabe · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2016, 12:16:12 PM »

Will be here, too. I've been missing our classical book discussions which seem to have gone by the wayside.

PatH · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2016, 12:39:17 PM »

Welcome, Halcyon and Frybabe. We certainly have a good bunch here.

Frybabe, as you can see, the classics has awakened.

DNix · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2016, 01:51:52 PM »

Count me in Ginny!

Hello all. I am one of Ginny's Latin 101 students. I am looking forward to reading and discussing Ovid.

ginny · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2016, 02:53:59 PM »

DNix!! How good to see you here, this is a marvelous group already assembled!

JoanK · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2016, 05:16:49 PM »

I'm in!

PatH · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2016, 05:31:14 PM »

Oh, good. Siblings are always welcome.

Marsha44 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2016, 07:19:07 PM »

I'm in. I too am one of Ginny's Latin 101 students. Can't get enough Latin!

ginny · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2016, 07:27:20 PM »

Me, either.

Welcome, Marsha!

harry10 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2016, 07:48:47 AM »

"count me in" sounds fun and educational, and more latin...what could be better!
Harry10 , one of Ginny's students

Fran11 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2016, 07:53:58 AM »

Ginny's 104 class will be studying Ovid this term. Ginny laid out a very eloquent and persuasive case in the assignments area as to why we would do well to join this book club discussion and so I'm in! Looking forward!

ginny · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2016, 09:34:47 AM »

Harry10 and Fran11, so good to see you both here!

This is really going to be something!

PatH · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:17:08 PM »

What translation to use—getting the right one for you is important. There are lots of good ones out there, but this is definitely not a one size fits all issue. As I’ve seen in previous classics discussions, what one person likes, another hates. Try to read a bit of whatever you are going to buy to see if the style appeals to you.

Of the three links to free online versions in the heading, I like the first (Kline) the best, and it has lots of links to the many mythical characters, but it's prose. The second, Dryden, is in verse; I find it almost unreadable, but lots of people like his poetic style.

In books, I like Lombardo because he is straightforward and respects the text, but some people find him too slangy.

Anything you find readable would be good. If it's easy to get to a library, you can check out their versions.

Halcyon · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2016, 01:47:58 PM »

PatH, I've ordered Lombardo and scrolled through Kline which I also like. I wondered if there is a chart or genealogy of the gods? Does anyone know? I think it would be fun to see all the relationships as a visual. It might help us Latin students also!

PatH · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2016, 02:07:43 PM »

There must be one somewhere, and if it's complete, it'll be pretty complicated. Their personal life was kind of a mess. I'll look for one.

Halcyon · « **Reply #26 on:** January 05, 2016, 05:56:59 PM »

PatH, I've actually found many, some more complete than others. As you said their personal lives were a mess thus I've given their story a name "As the world turns all my bold and beautiful and young and restless children search for tomorrow at the edge of night"

ginny · « **Reply #27 on:** January 06, 2016, 08:49:36 AM »

And for those who have the Ovid text, there is a rudimentary one on page 444. Of those you've found, Halcyon, can you put a link to any of them?

Vorenus · « **Reply #28 on:** January 06, 2016, 09:18:17 AM »

I'm in. One more Latin 103 student.

Mkaren557 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 06, 2016, 09:54:56 AM »

I am in.

howshap · « **Reply #30 on:** January 06, 2016, 11:58:24 AM »

Cosmogony, whether scientific or religious, is very hard to think about. Book I of the Metamorphoses immediately calls Genesis to mind. I'd like to join the discussion group, Ginny.

Howard

PatH · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2016, 12:15:31 PM »

Welcome to Vorenus, Mkaren557, and howshap. Wow--so many Latin students. Hope you don't mind talking in english.

You're right about the cosmogony, Howard. It will be an interesting comparison.

Mkaren557 · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2016, 02:27:10 PM »

I am in.

PatH · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2016, 02:27:31 PM »

Here's a family tree of Roman gods that seemed relatively clear:

http://www.talesbeyondbelief.com/roman-gods/roman-gods-family-tree.htm

And here's the identical chart with the Greek names:

http://www.talesbeyondbelief.com/greek-gods-mythology/greek-gods-family-tree.htm

The same god will appear in many places, mated to a different partner (often a sibling, parent or child). I lost track of how many times Jupiter/Zeus appeared.

Halcyon · « **Reply #34 on:** January 06, 2016, 02:47:55 PM »

Here's a chart I found with both Greek and Roman names, starting with Chaos, going to the Titans and then to the Olympians.

http://www.usefulcharts.com/greek-mythology-family-tree/

JoanK · « **Reply #35 on:** January 06, 2016, 05:32:58 PM »

HALCYON: your name for them definitely should be adopted!

hullwmr · « **Reply #36 on:** January 06, 2016, 05:56:03 PM »

I'm on board. Bill Hull

JoanK · « **Reply #37 on:** January 06, 2016, 07:11:42 PM »

WELCOME, Bill.

Poppaea · « **Reply #38 on:** January 07, 2016, 09:14:55 AM »

Count me in please, Ginny. It sounds fabulous!

tgoodge · « **Reply #39 on:** January 07, 2016, 09:46:07 AM »

Count me in. I will try, time permitting.

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Author Topic: Ovid's Metamorphoses (Read 126911 times)