# Song of the Muses explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

The Muses sing of Venus and Cupid's scheme to make Pluto fall in love with Proserpine. Venus, angered that Pluto alone resists Cupid's power, instructs her son to strike the god of the underworld with an arrow, ensuring that even hell submits to love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

Venus and Cupid manipulate Pluto's emotions, demonstrating the irresistible power of love even over the king of the underworld.

### Divine Power and Human Folly

The gods' scheming and use of divine power to control others highlights the capricious nature of divine authority.

## Character check-ins

### Venus

Venus orchestrates the plot to inflame Pluto with love for Proserpine, urging Cupid to use his arrow.

### Cupid

Cupid is instructed by Venus to shoot Pluto with a love-inducing arrow.

### Pluto

Pluto is the target of Cupid's arrow, struck while wandering in Sicily.

### Proserpine

Proserpine is the object of Pluto's intended desire, mentioned as Ceres' daughter.

### Ceres

Ceres is praised as the goddess who taught agriculture and provided laws; her daughter Proserpine is central to the plot.

### Jove

Jove is referenced as having hurled a thunderbolt at the giant Typhoeus in Trinacria.

## Key lines

> First Ceres taught the labouring hind to plough The pregnant earth, and quick'ning seed to sow; She first for man did wholesome food provide, And with just laws the wicked world supplied

Ceres was the first to teach farmers how to plow and sow seeds, providing food and establishing laws for humanity.

_The Muses honor Ceres as the originator of agriculture and civilization._

> Jove on the giant fair Trinacria hurl'd, And with one bolt revenged his starry world.

Jupiter threw a thunderbolt at the giant Typhoeus in Sicily, avenging the heavens.

_This describes Jupiter's defeat of Typhoeus, who is buried under Mount Etna._

> Bend thy sure bow, whose arrows never miss'd, No longer let hell's king thy sway resist;

Use your unerring bow to make the king of the underworld submit to your power.

_Venus commands Cupid to shoot Pluto with his love arrow._

> Through Pluto's heart it drives, and fixes there.

The arrow pierces Pluto's heart and remains lodged there.

_Cupid's arrow successfully strikes Pluto, igniting his love for Proserpine._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/song-of-the-muses
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters