Journal Entry #2: Ovid, Demeter and Persephone

In Invisible Cities, transformation is based on perception. Cities change when the traveler gains a new, deeper understanding of the city. Transformation can also occur over time, naturally occurring within the city. In Metamorphoses, transformation is a conscious choice. Daphne chooses to turn into a laurel to escape Apollo, Narcissus is turned into a flower by the gods, who again made the choice. Both texts use vivid descriptive imagery, and strive to describe the scenery in great detail. When people are important to the story, they are described first by appearances and second by actions. Gods and humans seem to have an ambiguous relationship in Ovid’s work. On one hand, the gods created humans, but they also destroyed most of them. Gods also pursue mortals, using them as pawns and playthings, not respecting their individuality. Ovid’s creation myth resembles that of the Greeks – but much of Roman mythology was taken from the Greeks. The flood story also parallels Noah’s Ark in the Christian mythos, and parts of the Ragnarok cycle. Ovids tone is one of wonderous revelation.

One of the Demeter and Persephone myths is a poem, the other is prose. This is probably the biggest difference between them. The Greek version is also more regal and serious, with the characters given more credence and believability. In the Roman myth, Persephone seems much younger, and Hades less sinister. Demeter seems much the same in both myths, but she does seem to have more power in the Greek myth. In the Roman myth, the male gods seem to have a larger role in determining Persephone’s fate. The female characters in the Roman myth are less intelligent and given less respect than the female characters in the Greek myth.