Story of Picus and Canens explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Transformation and Metamorphosis

  Picus is transformed into a woodpecker, his companions into wild beasts, and Canens into a voice, illustrating the theme of physical change as a result of divine or magical intervention.

• Love and Desire

  The chapter explores the power of love and desire, from Picus and Canens' devoted marriage to Circe's obsessive and vengeful passion.

• Violence and Revenge

  Circe's revenge for Picus's rejection leads to violent transformations and the destruction of his companions.

Characters to notice

• Picus

  King of Latium, transformed into a woodpecker by Circe after rejecting her love.

• Canens

  Wife of Picus, known for her beautiful voice; wastes away and becomes a voice after her husband's transformation.

• Circe

  Enamoured of Picus, she transforms him into a woodpecker and his companions into beasts when spurned.

• Venilia

  Mother of Canens, mentioned as bearing her to Janus on Mount Palatine.

• Janus

  Father of Canens, mentioned as the consort of Venilia.

Key passages

• “Picus, who once the Ausonian sceptre held, Could rein the steed, and fit him for the field.”

  Picus, who once ruled over Italy, was skilled at taming horses and preparing them for battle.

  Introduces Picus as a capable and noble king.

• “Whene'er she sung, so melting were her strains, The flocks, unfed, seem'd listening on the plains; The rivers would stand still, the cedars bend; And birds neglect their pinions to attend;”

  Whenever Canens sang, her voice was so enchanting that even the flocks stopped grazing to listen, rivers paused, trees bent, and birds forgot to fly.

  Describes the magical quality of Canens' voice.

• “On the lost youth her magic power she tries, Aloft he springs, and wonders how he flies. On painted plumes the woods he seeks, and still The monarch oak he pierces with his bill.”

  Circe uses her magic on Picus, and he suddenly leaps into the air, amazed to find himself flying. With colorful feathers, he flies to the woods and pecks at an oak tree with his beak.

  Depicts Picus's transformation into a woodpecker.

• “The sickening swan thus hangs her silver wings, And, as she droops, her elegy she sings. Ere long sad Canens wastes to air; while fame The place still honours with her hapless name.”

  Like a dying swan that droops its silver wings and sings its own funeral song, Canens fades away into air, and the place is still named after her in memory of her sorrow.

  Describes Canens's transformation into a voice and the lasting legacy of her name.