Women and Civilization in Ovid’s Metamorphoses

A prominent sub-theme of the Metamorphoses is the transformation of wilderness into civilization. The numerous stories in the poem dealing with wild, violent, or perverse behavior on the part of women underlie and support this theme. Three types represent stages of transformation: the figure of the virgin huntress (untamed by men) predominates at the beginning of the narrative; the Bacchant (violent in her worship) emerges later, and the woman victimized by mortal men and/or unnatural desire (violently lustful or vengeful) follows. Near the end of the epic Pomona symbolizes the new acquiescent role of women in a civilized world.