The Student Room Group
Reply 1
Well, what are you looking at? Are you only looking at Ted Hughes' version or are you looking at prose translations as well? Do you know any Latin? You might want to try the Classics forum as well... If you are only looking at Hughes' version, try to find other translations, because his style is pretty unique, and he does deviate a bit from Ovid's writing.

As for analysing them... yes, the poems are long, but try to look at how they flow into each other - what techniques are used? Find metaphors and similes, and pick out particularly striking bits of visual imagery. Some of the poems read almost like history. What other myths do you know that Ovid mentions, or could be attached to some of the characters? Think also of Creation myths to compare to the beginning (not just Greek ones). How many of the stories explain things in nature (e.g. the origin of amber)? How are the gods presented?

That's all I can think for the moment, but 'analysis' is very vague... Hope this helps!
I have never studied Classics, so it's all a bit new to me
Reply 3
JMoore
I have never studied Classics, so it's all a bit new to me


Ok, then I would definitely suggest you find another translation, so you've got something to compare it to - even if you don't read all of it, you need to see the changes that Hughes has made! It's quite different from Ovid's version.

In terms of English, though, the language is incredibly rich and sophisticated: look at the form, pace, and think about the sounds the words make; they are long poems, but there's so much in them. :smile: Don't let length put you off!
have you read hughes' then?
Reply 5
JMoore
have you read hughes' then?


Yes, I have - his Metamorphoses are actually one of my favourite books (well, books of poetry!) and I put it in my personal statement. I love Classical literature, and Hughes manages to make all the old tales seem fresh. :biggrin:

At what level are you analysing the book? Is it for a particular assignment?
IB higher level, it's one of the texts we study for exam. do u have ne notes, or can u elaborate on what's good about it.

i mean i like the stories and have noted some of his use of modern lexis. it's quite fresh. but in terms of analysis, its difficult.
Reply 7
JMoore
IB higher level, it's one of the texts we study for exam. do u have ne notes, or can u elaborate on what's good about it.

i mean i like the stories and have noted some of his use of modern lexis. it's quite fresh. but in terms of analysis, its difficult.


I'm afraid I don't have any notes as such; I do A-level and I've never 'studied' it in the academic sense, 'cause A-level doesn't allow us to study non-English literature, and it's a translation. :rolleyes:

Perhaps instead of analysing the language then, you should start big and take note of themes that crop up throughout the stories: try grouping the different metamorphoses and why they happen, and whom to - mortals, gods, demi-gods. Rough themes would be birth, death, nature (natural things becoming animate, like Pygmalion's sculpture, or living creatures becoming inanimate, like Niobe), wealth/power, sex/lust, combat, religion - are you familiar with the term 'hubris'? That would be useful especially in the case of Phaeton, Arachne and Niobe, and probably others as well.

Is metamorphosis natural, or unnatural, do you think - or is it different in different circumstances? And it it a bad, or a good thing, for those it happens to? (Tiresias would be good to look at for this one). Sometimes it is asked for and frees the affected from something, sometimes it is unwanted and a punishment...

You can look also at the stories as a way of explaining the world: the creation myth, Phaeton's sisters weeping amber, mulberries being stained by the blood of Pyramus and Thisbe, Prosperina determining the seasons, Myrrha becoming the myrrh tree... etc. etc.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head atm, but feel free to keep asking me stuff. If you've never done Classics before, then I feel for you, 'cause it's not really an English poem at all, and a good knowledge of the Classics is really helpful for this!