Metamorphoses · Chapter
Transformation of Scylla explained
Circe, enraged by Glaucus's rejection of her love in favor of Scylla, transforms Scylla into a hideous monster.
What happens
Circe, enraged by Glaucus's rejection of her love in favor of Scylla, transforms Scylla into a hideous monster. Scylla, horrified, throws herself into the sea and is turned into dangerous rocks that threaten passing ships.
Themes in this chapter
Transformation and Metamorphosis
Scylla's transformation from nymph to monster to rocks is the central event, driven by Circe's magic.
Love and Desire
Glaucus's unrequited love for Scylla and Circe's jealous desire for Glaucus lead to the tragic metamorphosis.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“The goddess Circe, becoming enamoured of Glaucus, and finding his preference for Scylla, revenges herself on her unhappy rival by a hideous transformation”
Circe falls in love with Glaucus, but when he chooses Scylla instead, she takes revenge by horribly transforming her rival.
Sets up the central conflict and motivation for the metamorphosis.
“Soon as the nymph wades in, her nether parts Turn into dogs, then at herself she starts”
As soon as Scylla enters the water, her lower body becomes dogs, terrifying her.
Describes the moment of transformation.
“While hapless Scylla, changed to rocks, decrees Destruction to those barks that beat the seas.”
Scylla, now turned into rocks, brings destruction to ships that sail near her.
Final outcome, linking the myth to the perilous Scylla rocks.