# Boreas in Love explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Boreas, the North Wind, falls in love with Orithyia, daughter of King Erechtheus of Athens. After being rejected due to her father's preference for Tereus, Boreas abandons gentle courtship and uses his violent powers to carry her off. Orithyia becomes the mother of Zethes and Calais, twins who later join Jason's Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

Boreas's passionate but unrequited love for Orithyia drives him to forceful abduction.

### Violence and Revenge

Boreas resorts to violent force when his gentle courtship fails, using his powers to abduct Orithyia.

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Zethes and Calais develop wings as they mature, a physical transformation inherited from their father.

## Character check-ins

### Boreas

The North Wind who falls in love with Orithyia and abducts her after being rejected.

### Orithyia

Daughter of Erechtheus, carried off by Boreas against her will.

### Erechtheus

King of Athens, father of Orithyia, who opposes Boreas's suit.

### Procris

Sister of Orithyia, married to Cephalus.

### Cephalus

Husband of Procris.

### Tereus

Thracian neighbor of Erechtheus, a reason for Orithyia's rejection of Boreas.

### Jason

Leader of the Argonauts, with whom Zethes and Calais sail.

## Key lines

> Boreas is enamoured of the beautiful Orithyia, whom he carries off against her inclination

Boreas falls in love with Orithyia and abducts her against her will.

_Opening summary of the chapter's central event._

> By force and violence I chiefly live, By them the low'ring stormy tempests drive, In foaming billows raise the hoary deep, Writhe knotted oaks, and sandy deserts sweep

Boreas declares that force and violence are his true nature, used to stir storms, raise waves, uproot trees, and sweep deserts.

_Boreas's boastful speech justifying his use of force._

> Two lovely twins, the effect of this embrace, Crown their soft labours, and their nuptials grace, Who, like their mother, beautiful and fair, Their father's strength, and feather'd pinions, share

The union produces twin sons, Zethes and Calais, who inherit their mother's beauty and their father's strength and wings.

_Description of the twins born from Boreas and Orithyia._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/boreas-in-love
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters