# Story of Nisus and Scylla explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Scylla, daughter of King Nisus of Megara, falls in love with the besieging King Minos. She steals her father's magical purple lock of hair, which guarantees the city's safety, and delivers it to Minos. Horrified by her betrayal, Minos rejects her and sails away. In despair, Scylla clings to his ship but is transformed into a lark, while Nisus becomes a hawk, forever pursuing her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

Scylla's overwhelming love for Minos drives her to betray her father and country.

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Nisus is transformed into a hawk and Scylla into a lark as a divine punishment and resolution.

### Violence and Revenge

Minos's rejection and the subsequent pursuit by Nisus as a hawk reflect themes of vengeance.

## Character check-ins

### Scylla

Daughter of Nisus, betrays her father for love of Minos, transformed into a lark.

### Minerva

Implied as the impartial goddess of war who hovers over the battle.

### Apollo

Phoebus, whose music is enshrined in the turret where Scylla often listens.

### Jove

Referenced as the father of Minos and the god cradled in Crete.

### Venus

Cytherea, implied as the goddess of love inspiring Scylla's passion.

### Cupid

Cupid gives Scylla added strength to swim after Minos's ship.

## Key lines

> Scylla, the daughter of Nisus, king of Megara, becomes enamoured of King Minos while besieging the walls of her father’s capital, the safety of which is said by the oracle to depend on a purple lock of hair on the king’s head—The maiden steals the fatal treasure from her sleeping parent, and the town is immediately captured; but Minos regards the crime with aversion—The gods convert Nisus into a hawk, and his daughter into a lark.

Scylla, Princess of Megara, falls in love with King Minos as he besieges her city. The city's safety depends on a magical purple lock on her father Nisus's head. She steals it while he sleeps, leading to the city's fall. Minos is disgusted by her betrayal, and the gods transform Nisus into a hawk and Scylla into a lark.

_Opening summary of the myth._

> O happy spear! she cries, that feels his touch; Nay, ev'n the reins he holds are bless'd too much.

She envies the spear and reins that Minos touches, wishing she could be in their place.

_Scylla's infatuation with Minos's martial equipment._

> Behold the effect of love's resistless sway! I, Nisus' royal seed, to thee betray My country and my gods. For this strange task, Minos, no other boon but thee I ask.

Scylla presents the stolen lock to Minos, declaring that love compelled her to betray her homeland and family, and she asks only for him in return.

_Scylla's plea to Minos after delivering the lock._

> Perdition seize thee, thou, thy kind's disgrace! May thy devoted carcass find no place In earth, or air, or sea, by all outcast!

Minos curses Scylla, wishing her body to be rejected by earth, air, and sea, and calls her a disgrace to her family.

_Minos's rejection and curse upon Scylla._

## Links

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