# Epigraph explained — A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

> Chapter companion for A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce.

## What happens

The epigraph quotes Ovid's Metamorphoses, translating to 'And he sets his mind to unknown arts,' foreshadowing Stephen Dedalus's artistic journey and self-discovery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Artistic Identity and Self-Discovery

The epigraph directly introduces the theme of artistic exploration and the pursuit of unknown arts.

## Character check-ins

### Stephen Dedalus

Implied subject of the epigraph, setting his mind to unknown arts.

## Key lines

> Et ignotas animum dimittit in artes.

And he applies his mind to unfamiliar arts.

_This Latin line from Ovid sets the tone for Stephen's artistic and intellectual journey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/chapters/epigraph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_portrait_of_the_artist_as_a_young_man_se/chapters