Reading Notes: Ovid's Metamorphoses II, Part B

The story that I liked the most from this section was of Procne and Philomela's revenge on Tereus. Classical mythology is riddled with stories of rape and violence, but there is rarely any true justice. The gods just get away with it. This story finally served some justice, which was satisfying to read.

If I were to recreate this story, I would likely keep a lot of it the same, but I would probably change the child's death, because it didn't seem to have much warranting in the original story. The story only says that the boy was much like his father, and that is why he was the one who had to be used as revenge bait. Although I did like that aspect of the story because of its gross and unsettling ending, it didn't seem to make much sense from a plot standpoint. 

Procne and Philomela presenting Itys' severed head
Source: Wikimedia Commons

In a recreation, I would either add some back story to Itys' character and have him do something terrible or mischievous like his father, so that when Procne kills him, it makes a little more sense, or I would change the one who gets killed. 

Ideas: 

  • Maybe have Procne kill and feed Tereus' own brother to him... brother for a sister
  • Have Philomela kill Tereus' brother
  • Have Philomela kill Procne (not as satisfying concerning justice, but interesting twist). She could kill Procne to take Tereus' wife from him, pay back for assault. 
  • Procne could sacrifice herself, and have Philomela carry it out. 
In general, keep the overarching plot the same, but exchange some details to play with the power dynamic in different ways. 

Bibliography: Ovid's Metamorphoses II (Procne's Revenge) translated by Tony Kline (2000)

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