# The Pierides Transformed to Magpies explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

The Muses are declared victorious over the Pierides, who are punished for their presumption and transformed into chattering magpies, their eloquence reduced to mere noise.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

The Pierides are physically transformed into magpies as a direct punishment for their presumption and defiance.

### Divine Power and Human Folly

The Muses exercise their divine authority to punish the Pierides for their arrogant challenge and continued insolence.

## Character check-ins

### Calliope

The Muse who speaks for the Heliconian goddesses, asserting their victory and decreeing punishment for the Pierides.

## Key lines

> The chosen muse here ends her sacred lays: The nymphs, unanimous, decree the bays, And give the Heliconian goddesses the praise.

The Muse concludes her song, and the nymphs unanimously award the victory to the Muses of Helicon.

_The judgment is passed in favor of the Muses._

> But in the fact they’re seized: beneath their nails Feathers they feel, and on their faces scales: Their horny beaks at once each other scare; Their arms are plumed, and on their backs they bear Pied wings, and flutter in the fleeting air:

The Pierides are caught in the act of transformation: feathers sprout under their nails, scales cover their faces, beaks form, and wings grow on their arms as they flutter into the air.

_The physical metamorphosis of the Pierides into magpies is described._

> Chatt’ring, the scandal of the woods they fly, And there continue still their clam’rous cry; The same their eloquence as maids or birds, Now only noise, and nothing then but words.

They fly away chattering, a disgrace to the woods, still making their noisy cries; their speech is now just noise, whereas before it was mere words.

_The Pierides' eloquence is reduced to meaningless chatter after their transformation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/the-pierides-transformed-to-magpies
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
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