Metamorphoses · Chapter
Story of Pygmalion and the Statue explained
Pygmalion, a sculptor who abhors women, carves an ivory statue so beautiful that he falls in love with it.
What happens
Pygmalion, a sculptor who abhors women, carves an ivory statue so beautiful that he falls in love with it. He prays to Venus for a wife resembling his statue; the goddess grants his wish by bringing the statue to life. Pygmalion marries the transformed woman, and she bears him a son, Paphos.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Creativity
Pygmalion's sculpture is so lifelike that it surpasses nature, illustrating the power of art to create beauty.
Love and Desire
Pygmalion's intense love for his own creation leads to a divine transformation, blending human desire with divine intervention.
Transformation and Metamorphosis
The ivory statue is transformed into a living woman through Venus's power, a central metamorphosis in the narrative.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Pygmalion, loathing their lascivious life, Abhorr’d all womankind, but most a wife; So single chose to live, and shunn’d to wed, Well pleased to want a consort of his bed;”
Pygmalion, disgusted by the immoral behavior of women, decided to remain unmarried and live alone.
Establishes Pygmalion's misogyny and his initial rejection of marriage.
“He knows ’tis madness, yet he must adore, And still the more he knows it, loves the more.”
He is aware that loving a statue is irrational, but his passion only intensifies with that awareness.
Highlights the paradox of Pygmalion's love for an inanimate object.
“The flesh, or what so seems, he touches oft, Which feels so smooth that he believes it soft;”
He frequently touches the statue, and its smoothness makes him imagine it is real flesh.
Shows how Pygmalion's senses deceive him into believing the statue is alive.
“Almighty gods, if all we mortals want, If all we can require, be yours to grant, Make this fair statue mine, he would have said, But changed his words for shame, and only pray’d, “Give me the likeness of my ivory maid.””
He wanted to ask the gods to make the statue his wife, but out of embarrassment he instead prayed for a wife who resembled his ivory maiden.
Pygmalion's modesty and indirect request to Venus.
“He kisses her white lips, renews the bliss, And looks, and thinks they redden at the kiss;”
He kisses the statue's lips repeatedly and imagines they become flushed with color.
Pygmalion's wishful perception of the statue coming to life.
“Convinced, o’erjoy’d, his studied thanks and praise, To her who made the miracle, he pays:”
Overjoyed and convinced, he offers heartfelt thanks and praise to Venus for the miracle.
Pygmalion's gratitude to the goddess for granting his wish.