Metamorphoses · Chapter
Peasants of Lycia Transformed to Frogs explained
Latona, fleeing Juno's wrath, arrives in Lycia and asks peasants for water.
What happens
Latona, fleeing Juno's wrath, arrives in Lycia and asks peasants for water. They refuse and insult her, so she prays to Jupiter for revenge. He transforms them into frogs, condemning them to live eternally in the muddy lake.
Themes in this chapter
Divine Power and Human Folly
Latona's divine wrath punishes the peasants' rudeness and lack of hospitality.
Transformation and Metamorphosis
The peasants are physically transformed into frogs as a permanent punishment.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Water I only ask, and sure 'tis hard / From Nature's common rights to be debarr'd”
Latona pleads for water, arguing it is a basic right of nature that should not be denied.
Highlights the theme of hospitality and natural rights.
“And may you live,' she passionately cried, 'Doom'd in that pool for ever to abide.'”
Latona curses the peasants to live forever in the pool.
The curse leads directly to their transformation into frogs.