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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

Ovid, Publius Ovidius Naso, Metamorphoses, poetry

College

Humanities

Department

Comparative Arts and Letters

Abstract

Written around 8 A.D., the Metamorphoses by Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid) is considered a classic of both Roman and World culture. It holds a unique place in Classical literature, which has caused it to remain an object of focused interest in the academic community. Although Ovid declares it to be an epic, it nevertheless displays several striking differences in style and composition from traditional epics such as Virgil’s Aeneid and Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad. The text of the Metamorphoses is also intriguing to scholars because many of the myths it contains do not follow the traditional accounts given in other ancient sources. They have instead been changed to fit some purpose unexplained by the author. Scholars have long debated the intent and purpose of these changes. This Office of Research and Creative Activities (ORCA) funded project has produced an Honors Thesis that discusses the Metamorphoses as Ovid’s poetic response to a debate that had existed since the Hellenistic Era and as an acclamation of his own skill as a poet.

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