# Description of Famine explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

The goddess Ceres sends Famine to afflict Erisichthon with insatiable hunger as punishment for his impiety. Famine enters his chamber at night and breathes a wasting blast upon him, causing an endless, tormenting hunger that no amount of food can satisfy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Power and Human Folly

Ceres wields her divine authority to punish Erisichthon's impiety, demonstrating the gods' power over mortals.

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Erisichthon undergoes a psychological transformation into a state of perpetual hunger, a form of living torment.

## Character check-ins

### Ceres

Commands Famine to chastise Erisichthon for his impiety.

### Jove

Implied as the source of authority behind Ceres' command, though not directly mentioned.

## Key lines

> She clasp'd his limbs, by impious labour tired, With battish wings, but her whole self inspired; Breathed on his throat and chest a tainting blast, And in his veins infused an endless fast.

Famine embraced the sleeping Erisichthon and breathed a corrupting breath upon him, instilling an unending hunger.

_The moment of affliction where Famine curses Erisichthon._

> Starves at full tables, and complains of want.

Even when surrounded by abundant food, he remains starving and unsatisfied.

_Illustrates the paradox of his insatiable hunger._

## Links

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