“Baucis and Philemon” Metamorphoses Book VIII.611-724

P. Ovidius Naso

 Reubens, Jupiter and Mercury with Philemon and Baucis

Group Project: J. Wamsley, B. Urrutia, J. Amy, E. Rogers, L. Campbell, R. Freeman

LATN 6220 Summer 2012

Introduction to the Author Ovid wrote in what is known as the golden age of Latin literature.

This means that he was writing mostly during the reign of Augustus, a

very complicated time in Roman history that began with civil war but

ended in relative peace. There was sort of an opposite trajectory for

Ovid. Spending his early years away from Rome allowed Ovid to avoid

some of the chaos of the civil war years. Once he established himself in

Rome he became involved in some very politically connected circles and

life became more complicated for Ovid. Although his political

entanglements may have resulted in his eventual exile, Ovid’s writing has

had an extensive influence on authors, playwrights, and scholars up to

and including the modern day. Ovid inspired paintings by Titian, Ruben,

and Caravaggio. He inspired sculptors like Bernini and Rodin. He has

also found a place in literary works such as Dante’s Inferno and

Shakespeare’s plays. Ovid’s poetry was even moralized so that it could

still be studied in even the most Christian of eras.

Introduction to the Work Ovid’s influence is so strong that he should not be missed when

formulating a high school Latin curriculum. His poetry can be read on

many levels so all types of students should be able to find something in

Ovid that interests them. The myth of Baucis and Philemon provides an

excellent introduction to the work of Ovid. On a most basic level it is a

charming story about an elderly couple who are rewarded for their piety.

More can be read into the symbolism of Ovid by those students who are

interested in themes such as hospitality, meal sharing, architecture, piety,

and harmony. It is a very adaptable myth that lends itself to study in any

classroom.

This text will provide you with the myth of Baucis and Philemon,

complete with vocabulary and commentary. Also included are discussion

questions and sample quizzes. The goal of this text is to provide a level

three Latin class with an introduction to Ovid. It can be read quickly at

the end of the year as preparation for reading Latin poetry in the fourth

year or more time can be spent with the addition of the suggested

projects that come with this text. This text is also a means of introducing

your students to common figures of speech found in Latin poetry such as

anaphora and hendiadys.

Vocabulary

613 spretor –oris m despiser, scorner 613 Ixion –onis m Ixion (king of the Lapiths, who was tied to a wheel by

Jupiter for trying to seduce June and sent flying into Tartarus) 614 fingo fingere finxi fictus tr to shape, form; to imagine, invent;

to pretend, feign 620 tilia –ae f linden tree, lime tree 620 conterminus –a –um adj neighboring; (w. dat) adjacent to 620 quercus –us f oak tree 621 Phrygius –a –um adj & mf Phrygian; Trojan 622 Pelopeïas –ados or Pelopeus –a –um adj Pelopian; 622 Pittheus –ei or –eos m king of Troezen and father of Aethra,

the mother of Theseus Notes

611 Amnis: The river Achelous was telling a short myth and all the

companions listening to his story have fallen silent as he finishes. 613 Ixione natus a character by the name Pirithous 616 obstupuere Alternative 3rd Person Plural Perfect Active

Indicative probarunt Syncopated 3rd Person Plural Perfect Active Indicative

617 Lelex was part of the group listening to Achelous story and participated in the Caledonian Boar Hunt in a story told before this myth Animo…aevo hendiadys

619 voluere Alternative 3rd Person Plural Perfect Active Indicative 620 dubites 2nd Person Singular Present Active Subjunctive –

Purpose Clause introduced by quo

Piety

Amnis ab his tacuit. factum mirabile cunctos moverat: inridet credentes, utque deorum spretor erat mentisque ferox, Ixione natus 'ficta refers nimiumque putas, Acheloe, potentes esse deos,' dixit 'si dant adimuntque figuras.' 615 obstipuere omnes nec talia dicta probarunt, ante omnesque Lelex animo maturus et aevo, sic ait: 'inmensa est finemque potentia caeli non habet, et quidquid superi voluere, peractum est, quoque minus dubites, tiliae contermina quercus 620 collibus est Phrygiis medio circumdata muro; ipse locum vidi; nam me Pelopeia Pittheus misit in arva suo quondam regnata parenti.

Comprehension and Discussion Questions

I. Why is the beginning of this passage an example of hubris?  

II. This myth is an example of a narration within a narration. Why does Ovid construct his work in this way, and where else has there been an example of this technique?

Becky  Tatter,  2009,  Atlanta  

Vocabulary

624. stagnum, -i n.: swamp 625. celeber, bris, bre: frequented (agreeing with undae)

mergus, -i m.: a diver, water-fowl fulica, -ae f.: a coot

627. Atlantiades: a descendent of Atlas, i.e. Mercury caducifer, fera, ferum: bearing a herald’s staff ala, -ae f.: wing

630. paluster, tris, tre: marshy, swampy canna, -ae f.: cane, reed

635. famulus, -i m.: servant Notes

624. haud procul hinc: “not very far off from here”

olim…nunc: “at that time…now” note the contrast 632. illa: adverbially, “there”

illa…casa: ablative of place where “in that cabin” 633. fatendo: gerund “by owning” 634. levem: light (take as predicate to paupertatem) ferendo: gerund “by bearing [it] in an uneven mind” 635. requiras: 2nd person singular active subjunctive “should you ask”

Setting the Scene

haud procul hinc stagnum est, tellus habitabilis olim, nunc celebres mergis fulicisque palustribus undae; 625 Iuppiter huc specie mortali cumque parente venit Atlantiades positis caducifer alis. mille domos adiere locum requiemque petentes, mille domos clausere serae; tamen una recepit, parva quidem stipulis et canna tecta palustri, 630 sed pia: Baucis anus parilique aetate Philemon illa sunt annis iuncti iuvenalibus, illa consenuere casa paupertatemque fatendo effecere levem nec iniqua mente ferendo; nec refert, dominos illic famulosne requiras: 635 tota domus duo sunt, idem parentque iubentque. Comprehension and Discussion Questions

I. The poet mentions that the land where Baucis and Philemon live

was once, habitabilis. What does it mean that Baucis and Philemon continue to live in the swamp-land even when it is uninhabitable?

II. Describe the domestic environment of Baucis and Philemon’s house. Are there slaves? Animals? Sons and daughters?

III. What is the significance of Baucis and Philemon’s age?

Woodcut  Ovid,  1563,  Furt  

Vocabulary

637. caelicola, -ae f.: deity, god 638. vertrex, -icis m.: the crown of the head 640. superinicio, -ere, eci, ectum: throw over

textus, -i m.: texture, covering sedulus, a, um: attentive

641. tepidus, a, um: warm 642. suscito, -are, -avi, -atum: kindle hesternus, a, um: of yesterday cortex, -icis n.: husk siccus, a, um: dry 644. ramale, -lis n.: brushwood 645. minuo, minuere, minui, minutus: lessen, reduce aenum, -i n. : kettle 646. riguus, a, um: watering, well-watered 647. trunco, -are, -avi, -atum: strip of branches, cut (acc.) off (abl.) holus, -eris n.: vegetables furca, -ae f. fork 648. sus, suis n.: sow, pig 649. exiguus, a, um: meager Notes

639. summissoque…vertice: ablative absolute “with the head

lowered” 639. iussit: supply [illos] posito sedili: ablative of place where “on the put aside seat” cui: antecedent is sedili “on which” 643. nutrit: supply [illos] producit: supply [illum] “she leads [it] forth anima: ablative of means 645. minuit: supply [illa] parvo…aeno: ablative of place where “in a small kettle” 646. riguo…horto: ablative of origin “from a well-watered garden” 648. nigro pendentia tigno: ablative of place where “hanging on a

black rafter” 650. ferventibus undis: ablative of place where “in boiling water”

At Home Preparing Dinner

ergo ubi caelicolae parvos tetigere penates summissoque humiles intrarunt vertice postes, membra senex posito iussit relevare sedili; cui superiniecit textum rude sedula Baucis 640 inque foco tepidum cinerem dimovit et ignes suscitat hesternos foliisque et cortice sicco nutrit et ad flammas anima producit anili multifidasque faces ramaliaque arida tecto detulit et minuit parvoque admovit aeno, 645 quodque suus coniunx riguo conlegerat horto, truncat holus foliis; furca levat illa bicorni sordida terga suis nigro pendentia tigno servatoque diu resecat de tergore partem exiguam sectamque domat ferventibus undis. 650 Comprehension and Discussion Questions

I. The poet devotes an awful lot of attention (nearly 10 lines) to

how Baucis and Philemon prepare the fire and dinner for Jupiter and Mercury. What might be the significance of such detail? Aside from having you look up lots of vocabulary, what effect might the poet achieve with such language?

II. How does the poet characterize the feast that Baucis and Philemon prepare for their divine guests?

III. What does the characterization of the feast tell us about Baucis and Philemon? Are they simply just poor or do they possess an ability to preserve the necessities of life?

Vocabulary

651. fallo, fallere, fefelli, falsum: wile away 653. fagineus, -a, -um: (of) beech-wood clavus, -i m.: nail, spike ansa, -ae f.: handle 655. ulva, -ae f.: sedge 656. salignus, -a, -um: (of) willow-wood 662. testa, -ae f.: potsherd, tile 663. menta, -ae f.: mint 664. sincerus, -a, -um: pure, uncorrupt 665. cornum, -i n.: cornel-cherry faex, faecis f.: the dregs 666. intibum, -i n.: endive, succory 667. favilla, -ae f.: glowing ashes, a spark 668. fictilis, -e: earthen; n. as subst., earthenware Notes

655-6. torus…lecto…sponda: a cushion on top of the padding

upon a frame 658. consuerant: syncopated pluperfect for “consueverant” 660. succincta: Baucis has lifted her skirt higher for freedom of

movement while she serves her guests 663. tersere: Baucis uses fresh mint leaves to scrub the table 666. lactis coacti: a common term for cheese, literally “curdled milk”

Serving the Gods

interea medias fallunt sermonibus horas  sentirique moram prohibent. erat alveus illic  fagineus, dura clavo suspensus ab ansa:  is tepidis inpletur aquis artusque fovendos accipit. in medio torus est de mollibus ulvis 655 inpositus lecto sponda pedibusque salignis. vestibus hunc velant, quas non nisi tempore festo sternere consuerant, sed et haec vilisque vetusque vestis erat, lecto non indignanda saligno. adcubuere dei. mensam succincta tremensque 660 ponit anus, mensae sed erat pes tertius inpar: testa parem fecit; quae postquam subdita clivum sustulit, aequatam mentae tersere virentes. ponitur hic bicolor sincerae baca Minervae conditaque in liquida corna autumnalia faece 665 intibaque et radix et lactis massa coacti ovaque non acri leviter versata favilla, omnia fictilibus; post haec caelatus eodem sistitur argento crater fabricataque fago Comprehension and Discussion Questions

I. Clavus is also the term for a broad purple stripe on a white toga. Beech-wood (fagineus) is typically white. Is there any significance in the juxtaposition of these two items?

II. How would you describe the layout and environment of Baucis and Philemon’s home? Do you think gods would be comfortable there? Would you want to pay them a visit?

III. Imagine you were serving strangers as your guests in ancient Rome. What would you serve them? Would they expect anything in particular to be served?

Carravagio,  Supper  at  Emmaus  

Vocabulary

670 flaveo, flavere, --,-- : be yellow or gold colored

inlino, inlinere, inlevi, inlitus: smear over; annoint 671 epula, epulae, f: courses (pl.), food, dishes of food; dinner

focus, foci, m: hearth, fireplace caleo, calere, calui, -: be/feel/be kept warm;

673 seduco, seducere, seduxi, seductus: lead away, lead apart 675 patulus, patula, patulum: wide open, gaping; wide-spreading;

redoleo, redolere, redolui, -: emit a scent, be odorous canistrum, canistri n: wicker basket (used for food/flowers and in sacrifices)

678 accedo, accedere, accessi, accessus: agree with iners, inertis (gen.): unskillful, incompetent voluntas, voluntatis, f.: good will

Notes

670 flaventibus...ceris: ablative of means 671 misere: alternate verb form 671 epulasque foci misere calentes: the hearth released the warm food.

lit. sent 676 purpureis...vitibus: transferred epithet 678 accessere: alternate verb form

Dessert

pocula, qua cava sunt, flaventibus inlita ceris; 670 parva mora est, epulasque foci misere calentes, nec longae rursus referuntur vina senectae dantque locum mensis paulum seducta secundis. hic nux, hic mixta est rugosis carica palmis prunaque et in patulis redolentia mala canistris 675 et de purpureis conlectae vitibus uvae; candidus in medio favus est: super omnia vultus accessere boni nec iners pauperque voluntas. Comprehension and Discussion Questions

I. Why do you think the drinking-cups are referred to as cava and

are covered with flaventibus ceris? II. Why is dessert referred to as second table? How does this

description of dessert compare with a typical American dessert? III. What is the significance of the grapes being removed from purple

vines? IV. What is the most important “observation” that Ovid makes in

this passage?

Otto  Van  Veen,  1607,  Emblemata  Horatiana  

Vocabulary

679 totiens: as/so often, so many times haurio, haurire, hausi, haustus: drain, exhaust

680 succresco, succrescere, succrevi: overflow 681 paveo, pavere, pavi: be frightened or terrified at 682 concipio, concipere, concepi, conceptus: take in/up

prex, precis: F prayer, request 683 nullus, nulla, nullum: no, none, not any

daps, dapis F: sacrificial feast/meal; feast, banquet 684 anser, is m: goose 685 macto, mactare, mactavi, mactatus: sacrifice; slaughter 689 meritus, merita, meritum: deserved, due

luo, luere, lui, luitus: pay; atone for (poenam luere – to suffer punishment)

690 immunis, immunis, immune: exempt; immune 692 comito, comitare, comitavi, comitatus: accompany

gradus, gradus M: step, position arduus, ardua, arduum: steep, high, lofty, towering; arduous

693 levo, levare, levavi, levatus: lighten 694 nitor, niti, nixus sum: press/lean upon, depend on (+abl)

clivum, clivi N: incline, hill Notes

680 sponte sua: ablative of means 681 novitate: ablative of agent 682 concipiunt: expresses the repeating of a ritual prayer 683 dapibus nullis: datives of respect 685 dis hospitibus: hendiadys 686 keep ille as the subject. 688 visus ad ipsos confugisse deos: personification

The Miracles

Interea totiens haustum cratera repleri sponte sua per seque vident succrescere vina: 680 adtoniti novitate pavent manibusque supinis concipiunt Baucisque preces timidusque Philemon et veniam dapibus nullisque paratibus orant. unicus anser erat, minimae custodia villae, quem dis hospitibus domini mactare parabant; 685 ille celer penna tardos aetate fatigat eluditque diu tandemque est visus ad ipsos confugisse deos: superi vetuere necari "di" que "sumus, meritasque luet vicinia poenas inpia" dixerunt; "vobis inmunibus huius 690 esse mali dabitur. modo vestra relinquite tecta ac nostros comitate gradus et in ardua montis ite simul!" parent ambo baculisque levati nituntur longo vestigia ponere clivo. Comprehension and Discussion Questions

I. What is the effect of the scansion in lines 693-694 II. What could be Jove’s motivation for saving the goose?

Rembrandt,  Baucis  and  Jupiter  Drawing  

Vocabulary

695. semel: one time 696. mergo, ere, mersi, mersus: drown, overwhelm

palus, paludis f:: swamp, marsh 697. tantum: only 699. vetus, veteris: old 700. furca, ae f: prop, fork

subeo, ire, ii, itus: pass, extend pass 701. stramen, straminis n: straw

flavesco, ere: become yellow, turn golden 703. edo, edere, edidi, editus: pronounce 704. iustus, a, um: proper, lawful 706. iudicium, i n: judgement

aperio, ire, ui, apertus: reveal, disclose 707. delubrum, i n: temple, shrine 709. aufero, ferre, abstuli, ablatus: take away 710. bustum, i n: tomb, corpse, ashes Notes

695. tantum…quantum: how much…that much 696. mersa…prospiciunt: prospiciunt introduces an indirect

statement. Supply esse with mersa. 698. suorum: supply vicinorum, “of their neighbors” 702. caelata: supply sunt; for adoperta supply est 703. Saturnius: This is the son of Saturn, Jupiter 705. quid optetis: indirect question with dicite 706. superis: referring to the gods, those who live higher above 708. concordes egimus annos: we have lived the same years 709. auferat: this is a jussive subjunctive and needs to be translated as

“let” nec: so that not, introducing a purpose clause

710. nec sim timulandus ab illa: a passive periphrastic in a negative purpose clause. “so that I must not be buried by that woman.”

The Request

tantum aberant summo, quantum semel ire sagitta 695 missa potest: flexere oculos et mersa palude cetera prospiciunt, tantum sua tecta manere. dumque ea mirantur, dum deflent fata suorum, illa vetus, dominis etiam casa parva duobus vertitur in templum: furcas subiere columnae, 700 stramina flavescunt, adopertaque marmore tellus caelataeque fores aurataque tecta videntur. talia tum placido Saturnius edidit ore: "dicite, iuste senex et femina coniuge iusto digna, quid optetis!" cum Baucide pauca locutus 705 iudicium superis aperit commune Philemon: "esse sacerdotes delubraque vestra tueri poscimus, et quoniam concordes egimus annos, auferat hora duos eadem, nec coniugis umquam busta meae videam, neu sim tumulandus ab illa." 710

Comprehension and Discussion Questions

I. How do Philemon and Baucis continue to show their piety as

they look on their submerged neighbors? II. Identify the Latin and the line numbers where the old couple’s

home is transformed. III. Concordes…annos can mean a variety of things. Based on the

word concordes, what sort of marriage have Baucis and Philemon shared?

Rubens, Landscape with Baucis and Philemon

Vocabulary

711. tutela, - ae, f.: guardianship; here, guardian (s) 712. aevum, i, n.: age, generation

casus, casus, m: chance, fortune, plight, fate solvo, -vere, -vi, solutum: loosen, weaken, release, set free

714. frondeo, -ere: to put forth leaves, to sprout leaves 716. cacumen, -inis, n.: extremity, peak, top (in this case it is the top

of the tree) 718. abdo, -ere, -didi, -ditum: hide 719. frutex, -icis, m.: shrub, bush, bark of a tree 720. incola, ae, f.- inhabitant

geminus, a ,um- two- fold, twin truncus, i, m: tree trunk

721. vanus, a,um- false, untruthful, unreliable fallo, fallere fefelli, falsum- to deceive, to say falsely, to lie

722. pendeo, pendere, pependi - hang, overhang 723. sertum, serti, n.: wreath, chain of flowers, garland ramus, i, m. : branch Notes

711. do, dare, dedi, datum here is “give up” or “yield” annis aevoque: ablatives of separation 712-713. loci: locative, “and at that place” 714-715. Philomena, Baucida- Greek accusative singular. 718: abdida texit ora frutex- bark covered their hidden faces. Prolepsis:

the heads of Baucis and Philemon logically can not be hidden until they are covered first by the fruit.

719. At the close of this tale, Ovid reintroduces the narrator, Thyneian/Bithynian Lelex (see map), who will begin speaking in line 721 in the first person.

721. neque erat- supply “any reason”: There was not any reason… 724. cura deum= “the beloved of the gods”

sint and colantur= jussive subjunctives. The jussive subjunctive is used to express a command or exhortation. Supply the helping verb “let.”

A Wish Granted

vota fides sequitur: templi tutela fuere, donec vita data est; annis aevoque soluti ante gradus sacros cum starent forte locique narrarent casus, frondere Philemona Baucis, Baucida conspexit senior frondere Philemon. 715 iamque super geminos crescente cacumine vultus mutua, dum licuit, reddebant dicta "vale" que "o coniunx" dixere simul, simul abdita texit ora frutex: ostendit adhuc Thyneius illic incola de gemino vicinos corpore truncos. 720 haec mihi non vani (neque erat, cur fallere vellent) narravere senes; equidem pendentia vidi serta super ramos ponensque recentia dixi "cura deum di sint, et, qui coluere, colantur."

Comprehension and Discussion Questions

I. What is the effect of the placement and repetition of simul in line

18? II. Describe the physical transformation of Baucis and Philemon.

What vocabulary does Ovid use? III. In the end, the pietas of Baucis and Philemon is rewarded and

they are granted their wish. According to Ovid, what is the ultimate reward for pietas?