Ovid's Metamorphoses and Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus - Book Report/Review Example

Identifying Exile and Transition in Literature through Metamorphoses Introduction The reference of different pieces of literature has been used through different writers to recognize deeper meanings as a part of plays or stories. One of the references that are continuously used throughout literature is Ovid’s Metamorphosis. This particular play is used through the works of Shakespeare and into the contemporary period. The reference is important not only because it is a widely recognized work among those interested in literature. There are also direct references to the works at a deeper meaning, specifically as using the concepts in Ovid’s story as a direct meaning to the later pieces of literature. The history of creation and concept of evolution that is a part of Metamorphosis is the main theme which is referenced in the themes of other works to create a subtle understanding of the plot of other stories. The meaning created is based on the burning of the book, which signifies the rejection of transition, as well as an understanding of how this relates to the main conflicts in the other plays and stories. Ovid’s Reference to Metamorphoses The use of Metamorphosis in literature began with Ovid’s direct meanings that he directed in other works. One of the works which he referenced this to was Tristia and the Black Sea Letters, also known as the poems of exile. The concept of exile that is approached in the poems by the narrator shows the desire to evolve, survive and to move forward despite the conditions which the man is in. The first reference to Ovid’s book is when the narrator is writing to those that he is leaving, specifically which states he will provide them with his belongings. He points out that he is leaving his books to his family, stating: “There are also fifteen books of Metamorphoses, worksheets lately saved from my exequies: To them I bid you say that the new face of my fortunes may now be reckoned one more” (Ovid, lines 117-120). The reference to the book is surrounded by the need to follow through with the instructions of the book while the narrator who is leaving can’t. Even though this is based on saving the book from being burned, there is also a hidden meaning associated with this. Saving the works of Metamorphoses is one which shows the importance of the book in understanding transition, creation and the evolution of mankind, while stating that this is a part of the exile because of misunderstandings that are within society. Shakespeare and Metamorphoses The same application and reference to Metamorphoses as alluding to a book but having deeper meaning can also be read in Titus Andronicus by Shakespeare. The importance in this play is because of the tragedy which relates to the changing throne and the need to overthrow the current government. When this is going through the change and transformation, it leads to outbreaks of violence among those that are a part of the different scenes. The reference to Metamorphoses is stated between a conversation of Titus and Young Lucius. “Titus: Lucius, what book is that she tosseth so? / Young Lucius: Grandsire, ‘tis Ovid’s Metamorphosis, My mother gave it to me. Marcus: For love of her that’s gone, Perhaps she cull’d it from among the rest” (Shakespeare, Act 4, scene 1). This phrase is important in the play because it is being destroyed with the tragedy in the kingdom that is occurring. Marcus points this out by stating that the love of her is gone and separated from the rest. The transition of losing love because of the tragedy of the kingdom becomes symbolic to the burning of Metamorphosis and the loss of understanding with transition, love, creation and evolution. The deeper meaning of the play is then revealed with alluding to the book. An Imaginary Life Another reference that can be seen with the book of Metamorphosis is through An Imaginary Life by David Malouf. Malouf begins this by using Ovid as one of the main characters, which becomes symbolic for teaching wisdom to the boy who has run away from the traditional life and who isn’t learning the restrained language of Latin and other types of academic topics. The concept of transition and evolution can then be seen through the boy as he becomes detached from the village and learns through Ovid instead of the contemporary forms in the school. When the narrator is working through the changes made in the village, he notes that his life has changed to the simplest form among the tribe and it is different than expected. The desire to hold onto the life that was held before then leads him to going to the known world, which he speaks of by trying to dig into Ovid’s grave (Malouf, 17-18). The reference to Metamorphosis is in line with this, which includes the lost world of the myth and the teachings of transition and how these were buried with the resistance against the mythology, transition, evolution and other theoretical concepts that were a part of the book. The Last World The last novel which shows these different concepts is The Last World by Cristoph Ransmayr. The main theme is one which digs into the history that began with Ovid from the contemporary time frame of modern Bulgaria. When finding these counterparts of the Roman remains, there are also different stories that link to the Metamorphosis and the different poems that Ovid wrote during his time. The different myths which Ovid left in the book are reenacted, specifically with the references to mythology and the gods that are a part of the main book. The reenactment begins with Naso, who had written the book and with it had received the same exile that Ovid had. “Naso had named the book Metamorphoses, transformations, and paid for it with the Black Sea. Cotta watched the book burn and once again could feel the draft as it leafed through the glowing pages. At last he had turned to the shadow of the servant and replied: the book. The book. As if driven back by a magic charm” (Ranmayr, 33). This excerpt begins the main depiction of the book, both with the burning which occurred and how the idea transformation led to a rejection by society and the burning of the book. This was followed by an understanding that the book held a magical power, specifically because it held the secrets of the myth and the philosophies that were a part of the transformation. The use of the new Metamorphoses, as given by Naso and Cotta becomes more mystical because the same change occurs which had with Ovid. This begins with Naso being exiled from Rome in the same manner as Ovid. This is followed by the same application of burning the book into exile as well as the rejection by political authorities that followed. The book becomes the main controversy in these parts of the play, specifically because it causes both transformation of the characters and leads to the main exile of those that are in the play. “Naso had already been transformed into a martyr and his forbidden or burned books had become revelations for a broad segment of the public. Naso might have gone the way of his Metamorphoses, have long since been turned to ashes or lain buried under the gravel of a barbarian land” (Ransmayr, 103). The meaning of the book in this excerpt and in others that relate to both the magical powers of transformation and the idea of the burning of the book becomes significant at this point. The desire to transform, despite the conditions one is in, becomes the driving force of the narrative. The burning of the book then becomes a metaphor of what could happen to individuals because of the threat which they may become. However, transforming beyond these types of thoughts becomes one which continues to lead to transformation and the understanding of the mystical. Building Themes from Metamorphoses Each of the plays and stories depict the book of Metamorphoses through the concept of burning the book, moving into exile and rejecting the ideas of transformation and evolution that are in the book. However, the book gains a sense of mystery and power through this mention and by the author’s alluding to the concept of Metamorphoses. From this, there is an understanding that the power of transformation and evolution which is mentioned by Ovid holds a sense of truth and is a well – guarded secret among other powers and authorities. Each of the books mentions this as one of the main components of the burning. More important, the author’s allude to the concept of the book to show a similar type of exile, burning and rejection of different ideologies. The book becomes one which links directly to the state of mind of different characters in the book as well as the plot which is occurring. This ranges from the main ideologies of royalty who are going through transformation to the changes within cities that bring back the Metamorphoses through Nemo. Each of the references gains significance by showing the knowledge which continues to be held in society as well as the conflicts and burning of society that occur with the ideology of transformation. Conclusion The use of referencing other books and works in literature is one which becomes important to the overall themes in the plot that an author is speaking of. In the several examples, there is use of Metamorphoses as a book, all which refers to the burning of the book, exile and the transformation which continues to remain as a part of the ideology from the book. The literature then becomes one which is significant through the ability to define the mythological and the concepts of transformation. Each of the author’s use the book specifically to allude to the concepts of evolution while showing how this is one of the main debates within their own stories, specifically which leads to a sense of conflict and exile among the characters. Works Cited Malouf, David. An Imaginary Life. Vintage: New York, 1996. Ovid. The Poems of Exile: Tristia and the Black Sea Letters. University of California Press: California, 2005. Ransmayr, Christoph. The Last World. Grove Press: New York, 1988. Shakespeare, William. Titus Andronicus. Digireads: New York, 2009. Read More