Review of The Metamorphoses by Ovid in a new translation by Rolfe Humphries

As I continue to attempt to revisit the classics I read in college, occasionally I find a gem that I scarcely remember and that delights me to no end.  This is such a book and the translation is absolutely splendid.

I am slowly re-learning the Greek myths, which are a largely incoherent set of stories that appear in many versions over the 1,000 years or so of Greek cultural ascendence in the Mediterranean.  The Metamorphoses – stories organized around transformations at the hands of the Gods – is one of the most important sources. It retells well known stories but also adds many details.

The picture that emerges is of the capricious natures of the gods. They transform humans into animals, rivers and what have you for a variety of reasons, including refusal to submit to sex from a lustful god, anger at disrespect (and lack of fear) from a mortal, or even on rare occasion the cause of justice. It is an entirely different mentality and great fun from the solemn, vengeful, all-knowing, all-planed-out god of the monotheisms, where wrath is justified by impiety, the devil and evil, etc. Indeed, my fascination with myth was what led me to major in classical civilization.

If you know Roman history, there are subtexts that are very fun. The most obvious is Ovid’s attempt to flatter Augustus, whom he rightfully fears. But there is also a satirical side: Ovid almost certainly is playing with the stories and may be embellishing them with details he makes up for his audience and even specific individuals in his entourage.

I can’t say that I found the notes engaging or informative. They are a scholarly adjunct, annotations that I never quite got as an undergraduate in any case. As this edition is praised for it, I wanted to add a note of caution. They are dull, obscure, of interest only to specialists.

This can be read as poetry, the translation is excellent.