Ovid's Metamorphoses - Essay Example

152422 Is the Metamorphoses in any sense a political poem? Outlined below are the arguments for and against the concept that Ovid’s poems in general, and the Metamorphoses in particular expresses political view and are any kind of sense a political poem. Whilst Ovid primarily regarded himself as a poet that did not as will be examined exclude him from making political comments or points through the median of his poetry. As will be explored in depth below, Ovid certainly had political views that he was prepared to point out as his opinions through his poetry and his other written works. It is also has to be remembered that Ovid lived during a period that witnessed much turbulence in Roman politics including civil wars before stability was eventually restored through Augustus Caesar’s assumption of imperial powers. Writers such as Virgil stated that the Roman Empire would last forever, a sentiment that Ovid did not share. If Ovid did publicly express support for the Augustan regime it was arguably not sincere. 1 Augustus Caesar had intended to reconstruct Rome both physically and morally and move her on to ever-higher levels of greatness. It would be Augustus Caesar’s decision to be the guardian of Rome’s political and spiritual well being that arguably influenced Ovid’s decision to write the Metamorphoses, in part to argue against the regime’s concepts of morality.2 Ovid’s own story began with his birth in 43 BC at Sulmo. His full name was Pulius Ovidius Naso and his family was comfortably wealthy and of noble rank, and they had wanted him to pursue a legal or public office career. However Ovid found that his true skills and interests were best suited for a career as a poet. His family wealth had meant that he had received a good education, being well versed in poetry and the Greek epics.3 It was not unusual for Roman poets and writers to express political views in their works or poetry. Ovid had occasionally expressed political views in his work or poems before Metamorphosis.4 There was in fact a long tradition of Roman writers and poets expressing their views through their written work. Although Ovid was not actively involved in political activities his privileged background and his high level of education meant that he was not ignorant of political events and opinions.5 For artists, poets, and writers it paid to have a sound knowledge of politics even if they did not wish to freely express their own opinions. That was also due to politicians and civic leaders being amongst the most active patrons of art in the Roman world. Ovid by the good fortune of his wealthy background did not have to worry so much about finding a fabulously wealthy patron to earn a living.6 Where Ovid needed to be wary was when it came to the potential censorship of his poetry; this was especially the case after Augustus Caesar took it upon himself to clean up Rome’s dubious morals. Ironically it would be Ovid’s writing about the arts of seduction and not his sparse use of political comments that would cause his downfall.7 Roman leaders and politicians such as Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar also commissioned writers and poets to produce works that presented favorable views of them. Augustus Caesar wanted as much propaganda as possible to showcase his achievement of unrivalled peace and stability.8 Some Roman writers had been strong supporters of the Roman Republic, whilst Ovid joined Virgil in supporting the regime of Augustus Caesar as it gave Rome peace and stability. Ovid’s loyalty to the Roman regime could not have been doubted although his works could have probably different in style if Mark Anthony had won the civil wars against Augustus Caesar, as Mark Anthony was not as interested in public morality.9 Although Ovid may have supported the Augustan regime for practical reasons that did not mean that he was averse to using his poetry to poke fun at the regime should the opportunity to do so presented itself.10 At the time it was written Ovid’s Metamorphoses was considered by many to be a literal masterpiece, the style of which was imitated by generations of poets and writers. The Metamorphoses was one of Ovid’s largest written pieces, being a poem that occupied 15 books.11 Ovid had high hopes and intentions for the Metamorphoses that were to produce a book that combined all the mythology of ancient times into one place. On the face of it the telling of Greek and Roman mythology, and the spreading of knowledge were more important objectives than producing an overtly or covertly political poem.12 Although, the Metamorphoses was not intended to have political form, it just set out to describe the mythological journey of the world form its very creation to the death of Julius Caesar. The linking of mythology was used to describe how the deities transformed the world they created into Ovid’s contemporary world.13 For Ovid the writing of Metamorphoses was a change of style. 14 His previous poems such as Amores and the Ars Amatoria were primarily concerned with love and understanding the arts of seduction, especially of wealthy married women. Such poetry did not please Augustus Caesar and probably contributed to Ovid’s later forced exile away from Rome. Of Ovid’s previous poems only the Heroides of around 1BC extensively used mythology as its background. Despite Heroides mythological setting it mainly dealt with the love lives of mythological women and goddesses15 Arguably the main theme running through the entirety of the Metamorphosis was not directly related to politics or indeed Ovid’s political ideals at all. Instead the main theme is all about passion. Or to be more precise how passion affects or changes emotions, decisions, and finally behavior. To be exact the Metamorphoses was written to demonstrate that if passion becomes strong enough, people or even the Gods become so embroiled in the their emotions that it changes their very nature and perhaps ultimately the essence of their being. When passion leads to obsessive love or hatred, then it can metamorphosis people into different creatures if carried out to the furthest extremes as to turn people into animals can still change people’s character’s and personalities for the better or for the worse. Strong and potent feelings can override people’s sense of morality, loyalty and prevent them from thinking or behaving logically.16 In the Metamorphosis, Ovid changes the conventional roles of the Gods and people around. The Gods, depicted by most of his contemporaries as being in charge of the world ahead of humans, are actually shown as being controlled by their emotions. Instead people are shown as being better placed to understand and cope with their emotions. Showing emotions and being able to cope with them is what makes people learn and develop, its what makes them different from the Gods. Ovid contends that this in many respects makes people better than the Gods, which turned contemporary religious, political, and mythological concepts upon their heads.17 Unlike Virgil and other contemporaries Ovid did not see the Augustan regime as the perfection of political, social, and religious structures. The Roman Empire just like all previous empires was prone to decay, evolution, and eventual collapse. The names of Augustus and his successors may live on for many centuries yet the greatness of Rome would not. Ovid by holding such views may have had a finer grasp of history than Virgil or Augustus, however they were dangerous views to hold. The Augustan regime could interpret all the transitions described by Ovid in the Metamorphoses as being a prediction of its own future decadence and eventual decline.18 What can be detected from the Metamorphoses is that the city of Rome was at that stage going through something akin to an identity crisis. Rome was in transition from being a decaying republic to being a majestic imperial capital city ruled by a dynasty of Emperors that had the status of being divine rulers being send to rule most of the known world. Ovid portrays the full glory of the Greek and roman mythologies, which paradoxically fail to spiritually fulfil increasing numbers of Ovid’s contemporaries.19 Perhaps the most obvious of the sparse political comment with the Metamorphoses are when Ovid refers to Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar had certainly been a man that had been capable of evoking emotional reactions from other people, whether devotion and loyalty, or the opposite reactions of fear and bitter hatred. For those that admired Julius Caesar his assassination had been a great shock that needed to be avenged.20 Julius Caesar went on to be declared a God, whilst Ovid describes Julius Caesar’s transformation into a star after his death. In the Metamorphoses, Ovid does mention Augustus Caesar and praises him for avenging the death of Julius Caesar. Or as Ovid put it ‘Just as when those gangsters tried to wash out Rome’s name with Caesar’s blood’.21 The style in which Ovid wrote the Metamorphoses meant that it was difficult to include large segments of political commentary within the poem itself. Although the length of the poem was large enough to include political commentary, the inclusion of so many unlinked stories made it hard to insert such commentary. Therefore, any political comments that are made happen to be brief and in passing as with the reference to the assassination of Julius Caesar. There was reference to the greatness of Julius Caesar and his transformation in to a star. Ovid had no intention of making Metamorphoses into a political poem. There may be parts of the Metamorphoses that could be interpreted as having political meanings, yet that was more than likely to have been incidental for the telling of the story.22 Ovid wanted to tell good stories rather than produce a masterful political thesis, it is doubtful if he would have wished to write in such a manner. Besides if he had wished to write a political tract he would have altered his writing style.23 The Metamorphoses was written in the style of a mythological saga, an epic that Homer and Virgil would have been proud to write. It was a poem that combined the functions of being an encyclopedia of all things mythological and a history of the Greek and Roman civilisations up to contemporary times. If there was an overtly political message or aspect to the Metamorphoses it is that civilisations make progress through the grace of the Gods and despite the predominance of passion over logic. Ovid though, uses this epic to show that passion is the most powerful force for change throughout the world. Without passion life would be very dull and far too predictable. Ovid could have used the prologue and the epilogue of the Metamorphoses to give the poetry within it a higher degree of coherent and consistent political content or meaning. That he chose to do neither of those things was a sign that he did not wish to make any significant political comment.24 Examples of passion adversely affecting behavior include the story of Tereus, as well as the story of Pyramus and Thisbe.25 There is another viewpoint as to whether the Metamorphoses were meant to be a political poem or not. If the Metamorphosis is interpreted literally then the idea that it is not a political poem is much easier to justify. On the other hand if the poem is analysed as a satirical piece of writing then arguments can be made in favor of it being a political poem. Ovid had not wanted to directly criticise the Roman regime or Augustus as he believed that would not be a good career move or would even be detrimental to his personal safety. However Ovid did try to use the Metamorphoses to present Augustus in a different, far less appealing light. Ovid included Augustus in the poem in the guise of the main God, Jupiter. The two were alike as they were both supposed to be all - powerful figures that were in charge of every body else. Augustus and Jupiter may claim to run things fairly and not allow their emotions prevent fairness and justice, yet they were just like fathers in that anger and love could spoil their judgement. Jupiter’s control over the lesser Gods and all humans became less benevolent throughout the poem and describes several clashes between Jupiter and Juno, as well as having arguments with their children.26 Not only did Jupiter get angry; he also cheated on Juno. For instance Callisto bore him a son, Arcas. Juno had her revenge upon Callisto by turning her into a bear.27 Arcas grew up not knowing his mother was a bear and would have killed her when out hunting had not turned into star constellations.28 There is another angle to the story of Callisto and Arcas, that is the hypocrisy of Jupiter and Augustus. Both claimed to be the upholders of morality yet their own actions were far from being impeccable.29 The Metamorphoses portrays Jupiter as sometimes being overbearing and angry as well as usually being a wise and forgiving God, Ovid tries to imply the same about Augustus.30 Ovid describes the transformations of Jupiter throughout the poem in a way that shows that a wise and just ruler can be transformed by power and its corruptive influences into an angry and occasionally vicious tyrant.31 However, Augustus could have been just as unforgiving as Jupiter. After all Jupiter had once: ‘ dipped his anger in the thought of water. Rain, downpour, deluge, flood – these could drown the human race, and be harmless.’ 32 It was Ovid’s works after the Metamorphoses that had a more pronounced political theme. The main reason why Ovid’s last works had a more overtly political nature was that Metamorphosis and his earlier poems had upset Augustus Caesar who decided to send Ovid into exile during 8 AD. For the next decade campaigned to have that exile ended. His letters and appeals to Augustus Caesar and the next emperor Tiberius proved to be unfruitful.33 Augustus’ disapproval of Ovid predated the publication of Metamorphoses and it seems that he had waited for the first opportune moment to banish the poet.34 After banishment, Ovid used his poems to appeal for his return to Rome. Ovid was full of praise for Augustus and his achievements as Roman Emperor. Ovid commented upon the peace, prosperity, and stability that Augustus long reign had brought to Rome and its empire. Not only had Augustus effectively controlled army and state he had transformed Rome through the extensive building of temples, theatres, and arenas. Ovid’s most ardent praise for Augustus was in the books of the Tristia and his final work Epistulae ex ponto, when he appealing to be allowed home.35 At the time that the Metamorphoses was written mythology had greater meaning then people in the modern world would attach to it now. Mythology was regarded as being more important than just being a collection of poetry and stories that advised people how to think and how to behave.36 The Metamorphoses would therefore have had a greater significance to Ovids contemporaries than it has for modern readers.37 Contemporary readers would have seen political meanings to the poem that mostly elude the understanding of later generations that are more interested in its literal style than finding hidden meanings. That the Metamorphoses had more significance was due to the importance with which mythology was regarded. Mythology was seen as been divinely inspired in its nature, it was a combination of history, politics, and religion. By cataloguing mythology Ovid was passed on his version or understanding of divine truth and history to succeeding generations as well as his contemporaries.38 Therefore to conclude the Metamorphoses by Ovid is not at first glance a political poem, at least it was not in the modern sense or definition of political. Ovid did not writ the Metamorphoses to make overtly political points or to campaign for particular policies, he was not after the gaining of support for the Roman government, or intending to create popular opposition towards it. He was not after public office for himself or his relatives. Indeed for Ovid the main motivation for producing the Metamorphoses were related to his ambitions as a writer and a poet. The completion of the Metamorphoses demonstrated that Ovid had great skill as a writer and as a poet, it was probably the greatest achievement of his impressive literary career. The undertaking of the Metamorphoses was an ambitious project to which Ovid proved more than capable of achieving. The Metamorphoses was solely intended to be a collection of all Greek and Roman mythology in a single poem. As such it was a fine piece of work, an invaluable compilation of all things mythological. In the view of modern readers such a compilation of mythological stories would not be considered the basis or foundation of a political poem. Certainly the part of the Metamorphoses that could be considered to have an overtly political nature are very sparse indeed, although covertly political passages are more frequent. As noted there is a single reference to Augustus Caesar being justified in avenging the assassination of Julius Caesar. Ovids main concern was to demonstrate through mythological stories that emotions had played a very important role in human history and development, whilst even affecting the behavior of the Gods. Although Ovid did not intend for the Metamorphosis to have overtly political meanings or for it to be a political poem he was aware that his contemporaries could easily interpret the Metamorphoses as having political connotations. That was because mythology was taken seriously in his lifetime and right up to the onset of the Christian era towards the end of the Roman Empire. The aim of the Metamorphoses seems to be to serve as a chronicle of mythology from the creation through to the death of Julius Caesar gave the poem an implicit political meaning, and the opportunity to poke satirical fun at the Augustan regime. The implied message was that contemporary Rome represented the pinnacle of human achievement up to that era of time. The underlying theme is that Rome was the greatest civilisation around and had the approval of the Gods. Of course Ovid also took the opportunity to point out Augustus pretensions of divinity by portraying him as Jupiter through out the poem. Romes climb to greatness was despite the disadvantages of emotions getting in the way of rational political decision - making. Just like Ovids previous poems the Metamorphoses continued his examination of emotions as a determining factor in decision-making and behavior. In many respects the Metamorphoses and Ovids earlier poems demonstrated that he was naive of the political consequences of his publications. The political implications of the Metamorphoses were certainly a threat to Ovid’s position and his freedom. The poem could be interpreted as a long prediction that the mighty Roman Empire and the Augustan regime that administered and directed it would decay and eventually disintegrate. Given the pride and the power that the Augustan regime held during Ovid’s lifetime it was a claim that was refuted and that earned the displeasure of Augustus himself. Bibliography Crystal D, (1998) The Cambridge Biographical Encyclopedia, 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Feeney, The Gods in Epic Galinsky Hughes T, (1997) Tales from Ovid, Faber & Faber, London Lane Fox R, (2005) The Classical World – An Epic History of Greece and Rome, Penguin, London and New York Miller F J, (1977) Ovid – Metamorphoses, Harvard University Press, Cambridge and London Roberts J.M, (1996) A History of Europe, Penguin, London and New York Speake, (1994) The Penguin Dictionary of Ancient History, Penguin, London and New York Read More