The Distinct Epic Format of Ovids Metamorphoses Essay

The Distinct Epic Format of Ovids Metamorphoses Ovids Metamorphoses is sometimes argued as a non-epic as well as a true epic. It is mainly viewed as a non-epic because Ovids subject matter is far from the heroic themes of the Illiad, Odyssey, and the Aeneid (Keith 237). Ovid was different and was motivated to push the epic beyond its previous boundaries (Ovid). Perhaps in hopes to confirm the structure of his work, Ovid declares that he will undertake one continuous song in many thousands of verses (Keith 238-239). Ovids wording here is a self-conscious declaration that he is going to write in the epic mode. Ovid consciously wants his style to be different, however still contained in the epic form. So, Ovid purposely†¦show more content†¦Ovids new excursion into hexameter is greatly complemented by the novelty of his subject matter (Keith 238). Ovids subject matter is very broad and unique in its containment of various subjects. Continuing in the epic form, the opening lines of the poem, indeed follow the time-honoured epic tradition of announcing the theme and invoking divine assistance (Ovid). Metamorphoses narrative method involves many of the devices of the epic manner: long extended similes, catalogues, famous heroic figures, quests and journeys, feasts, battles, heroic speeches, councils of war, and a supernatural plane to the action (Ovid). The range and precision of Ovids references to the classical epic tradition in articulating the program of Metamorphoses establishes the poems generic alignment with epos (Keith 239). In continuing to associate with the epic form, Metamorphoses deliberately covers the subject matter of the Iliad, Odyssey, and the Aeneid. Ovid wrote in a self-conscious rivalry with his literary predecessors, Ovid wanted to stand out, to be uniquely different. In covering the subject matter perhaps Ovid was quietly trying to associate his work with these known epics. However, he did not want his work to be clumped into a group with all of the other known epics; then his would lose its