# Story of Cycnus explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Achilles battles the invulnerable Cycnus, son of Neptune, and ultimately strangles him. After Cycnus's death, his body is transformed into a swan by his father. The Greeks then hold a feast where they recount the deeds of war.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Cycnus is transformed into a swan by his father Neptune after his death.

### Violence and Revenge

Achilles' relentless assault on Cycnus, culminating in strangulation, exemplifies the brutality of war.

## Character check-ins

### Achilles

The Greek hero who battles and ultimately kills Cycnus by strangling him.

### Cycnus

Son of Neptune, invulnerable in body, who is strangled by Achilles and transformed into a swan.

### Neptune

Father of Cycnus, who transforms his son's body into a swan after his death.

### Hector

Mentioned as a Trojan warrior Achilles seeks but does not encounter in this chapter.

## Key lines

> The vanish'd body from his arms was fled: His sea-god sire, to immortalize his frame, Had turn'd it to the bird that bears his name.

Cycnus's body disappeared from Achilles' grasp because his father Neptune transformed him into a swan to make him immortal.

_The metamorphosis of Cycnus into a swan._

> A truce succeeds the labours of this day, And arms suspended with a long delay.

After the battle, a truce was declared and fighting stopped for a long time.

_The pause in hostilities following the duel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-cycnus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters