# A Wolf Turned Into Marble explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Peleus learns of a monstrous wolf ravaging the plains of Trachinia, sent by the nymph Psamathe as revenge for the murder of her son Phocus. Despite his initial resolve to fight, Peleus instead prays to the sea nymphs for mercy. Through the intercession of his wife Thetis, the wolf is turned into marble. Peleus then seeks exile and expiation from King Acastus.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

The wolf is turned into marble, a literal metamorphosis that ends its destruction.

### Violence and Revenge

Psamathe's revenge through the wolf's violent rampage, and Peleus's guilt over Phocus's murder.

### Divine Power and Human Folly

The gods and nymphs control the fate of mortals, punishing Peleus for his past crime.

## Character check-ins

### Peleus

The grieving prince who learns of the wolf's devastation and prays to appease Psamathe.

### Ceyx

The king who listens to Peleus's story and shows friendly concern.

### Thetis

The sea nymph who intercedes with Psamathe to stop the wolf's rampage.

### Psamathe

The offended nymph who sends the wolf as revenge for the murder of her son Phocus.

### Acastus

The king of Magnesia who grants Peleus exile and expiation.

## Key lines

> A wolf, which desolates the plains of Trachinia, is changed into marble by the intercession of Thetis.

A wolf that was ravaging the fields of Trachinia was turned to stone through Thetis's intervention.

_Opening summary of the chapter's central event._

> But Peleus cared not for his ruin'd herd, His crime he call'd to mind, and thence inferr'd That Psamathe's revenge this havoc made, In sacrifice to murder'd Phocus' shade.

Peleus was not concerned about his lost cattle; he remembered his crime and realized that Psamathe was taking revenge for the murder of her son Phocus.

_Peleus connects the wolf's attack to his own guilt._

> Changed by the nymph, a marble block he grew. No longer dreadful now the wolf appears, Buried in stone, and vanish'd like their fears.

The nymph turned the wolf into a block of marble, so it was no longer terrifying and disappeared like their fears.

_The wolf's transformation into stone ends the threat._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/a-wolf-turned-into-marble
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters