# Transformation of Scylla explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Circe

The sorceress who, spurned by Glaucus, vengefully transforms Scylla.

### Glaucus

A sea god who loves Scylla and rejects Circe's advances.

### Scylla

The nymph transformed into a monster and later into dangerous rocks.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-scylla
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters