# Story of Leucothoe and the Sun explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Apollo, the Sun god, falls in love with Leucothoe and disguises himself as her mother to gain access to her. Their love is discovered by Clytie, who is jealous because she loves Apollo herself. Clytie reveals the affair to Leucothoe's father, King Orchamus, who orders his daughter buried alive. Apollo cannot save her from death but transforms her body into a frankincense tree.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

Apollo's passionate love for Leucothoe drives the plot, leading to both union and tragedy.

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Leucothoe is transformed into a frankincense tree after her death, a central metamorphosis in the chapter.

### Violence and Revenge

Clytie's jealousy leads to Leucothoe's brutal burial alive, and Venus seeks revenge on the Sun for exposing her affair.

## Character check-ins

### Apollo

The Sun god who falls in love with Leucothoe and transforms her into a frankincense tree after her death.

### Leucothoe

The mortal princess beloved by Apollo, buried alive by her father and transformed into a frankincense tree.

### Clytie

A nymph who loves Apollo and, out of jealousy, reveals his affair with Leucothoe to her father.

### Venus

Mentioned in the context of her affair with Mars being spied by the Sun, leading to revenge.

### Mars

Mentioned in the context of his affair with Venus being spied by the Sun.

### Vulcan

Mentioned as the husband of Venus who creates a net to catch her and Mars in the act.

## Key lines

> The Sun, the source of light, by beauty’s power Once amorous grew; then hear the sun’s amour.

The Sun, who gives light, became enamored by beauty; now hear the Sun's love story.

_Introduces the theme of the Sun god's love._

> Leucothoe has all thy soul possess’d, And chased each rival passion from thy breast.

Leucothoe has completely captured your heart, driving away all other loves.

_Describes Apollo's exclusive devotion to Leucothoe._

> The body soon dissolved, and all around Perfumed with heavenly fragrances the ground. A sacrifice for gods uprose from thence, A sweet delightful tree of frankincense.

Her body dissolved, perfuming the ground with divine scents, and from it grew a sweet frankincense tree, a sacrifice for the gods.

_Describes Leucothoe's transformation into a frankincense tree._

## Links

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