# Transformation of Daphne Into a Laurel explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Apollo, struck by Cupid's golden arrow, pursues the nymph Daphne, who flees in fear and begs her father Peneus to change her form. She is transformed into a laurel tree, which Apollo then adopts as his sacred symbol.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Daphne's physical change into a laurel tree is the central metamorphosis, illustrating escape through transformation.

### Love and Desire

Apollo's unrequited desire drives the narrative, contrasting divine passion with Daphne's vow of chastity.

### Divine Power and Human Folly

Cupid's manipulation of Apollo and Daphne shows the capricious nature of divine power and its consequences.

## Character check-ins

### Apollo

Struck by Cupid's golden arrow, he passionately pursues Daphne and later claims the laurel as his tree.

### Daphne

Daughter of Peneus, she flees Apollo's advances and is transformed into a laurel tree.

### Cupid

The son of Venus who shoots Apollo with a golden arrow and Daphne with a leaden one, instigating the chase.

### Peneus

The river god and father of Daphne, who transforms her into a laurel at her plea.

### Diana

Mentioned as a model of virginity whom Daphne wishes to emulate.

## Key lines

> The first and fairest of his loves was she Whom not blind Fortune, but the dire decree Of angry Cupid forced him to desire: Daphne her name, and Peneus was her sire.

Apollo's first and most beautiful love was Daphne, daughter of Peneus, whom he was compelled to pursue not by chance but by Cupid's vengeful command.

_Introduces the cause of Apollo's love as Cupid's deliberate act._

> Scarce had she finish'd, when her feet she found Benumb'd with cold, and fasten'd to the ground; A filmy rind about her body grows; Her hair to leaves, her arms extend to boughs: The nymph is all into a laurel gone; The smoothness of her skin remains alone.

As soon as she finished her plea, her feet grew numb and rooted to the ground, a thin bark covered her body, her hair turned into leaves, her arms into branches, and she became a laurel tree, retaining only the smoothness of her skin.

_Describes the moment of Daphne's metamorphosis into a laurel._

> To whom the god, 'Because thou canst not be My mistress, I espouse thee for my tree: Be thou the prize of honour and renown; The deathless poet, and the poem, crown.'

Apollo declared that since she could not be his lover, he would adopt her as his sacred tree, making it the symbol of honor and the crown for poets and victors.

_Apollo consecrates the laurel as a symbol of eternal glory._

## Links

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