# Book II explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

This chapter recounts the tragic story of Phaeton's fatal chariot ride, the transformation of his sisters into poplars, and the metamorphosis of Cycnus into a swan. It also includes the tale of Ocyrrhoe transformed into a mare, Battus turned into a touchstone, and the story of Aglauros turned into a statue, along with the punishment of the raven for revealing Coronis's infidelity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Multiple transformations occur: Ocyrrhoe into a mare, Battus into a touchstone, Aglauros into a statue, Phaeton's sisters into poplars, and Cycnus into a swan.

### Divine Power and Human Folly

Phaeton's hubris in driving the sun chariot leads to his death by Jove's thunderbolt; Coronis's betrayal results in Apollo's wrath.

### Fate and Prophecy

Ocyrrhoe's prophetic gift leads to her transformation when she reveals secrets of fate; the inevitability of destiny is emphasized.

## Character check-ins

### Phaeton

Drives the sun chariot and is struck down by Jove's thunderbolt, falling into the Po river.

### Ocyrrhoe

Daughter of Chiron, transformed into a mare for abusing her gift of prophecy.

### Battus

A shepherd turned into a touchstone by Mercury for betraying his promise of secrecy.

### Aglauros

Sister of Herse, turned into a statue by Minerva for her greed and betrayal.

### Coronis

Nymph killed by Apollo for infidelity; her unborn child is saved and given to Chiron.

### Cycnus

Son of Sthenelus, deeply mourns Phaeton and is transformed into a swan.

## Key lines

> The ambitious boy fell thunderstruck from heaven; The horses started with a sudden bound, And flung the reins and chariot to the ground

Phaeton was struck down by Jove's thunderbolt, causing the horses to bolt and the chariot to crash.

_Describes the climax of Phaeton's fatal ride._

> Her tongue no more distinct complaints affords, But in shrill accents and misshapen words Pours forth such hideous wailings, as declare The human form confounded in the mare

Ocyrrhoe's speech becomes incomprehensible as she transforms into a mare, neighing instead of speaking.

_Illustrates Ocyrrhoe's metamorphosis into a horse._

> Then to a touchstone turns the faithless spy, And in his name records his infamy.

Mercury turned the treacherous Battus into a touchstone, memorializing his betrayal.

_Describes Battus's punishment for breaking his promise._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/book-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters