Original Text(~250 words)
FABLE I. [XIV.1-74] Circe becomes enamoured of Glaucus, who complains to her of his repulse by Scylla. She endeavours, without success, to make him desert Scylla for herself. In revenge, she poisons the fountain where the Nymph is wont to bathe, and communicates to her a hideous form; which is so insupportable to Scylla, that she throws herself into the sea, and is transformed into a rock. And now {Glaucus}, the Eubœan plougher of the swelling waves, had left behind Ætna, placed upon the jaws of the Giant, and the fields of the Cyclops, that had never experienced the harrow or the use of the plough, and that were never indebted to the yoked oxen; he had left Zancle, too, behind, and the opposite walls of Rhegium,[1] and the sea, abundant cause of shipwreck, which, confined by the two shores, bounds the Ausonian and the Sicilian lands. Thence, swimming with his huge hands through the Etrurian seas, Glaucus arrived at the grass-clad hills, and the halls of Circe, the daughter of the Sun, filled with various wild beasts. Soon as he beheld her, after salutations were given and received, he said, “Do thou, a Goddess, have compassion on me a God; for thou alone (should I only seem deserving of it,) art able to relieve this passion {of mine}. Daughter of Titan, by none is it better known how great is the power of herbs, than by me, who have been transformed by their agency; and, that the cause of...
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Summary
This chapter weaves together multiple tales of love, rejection, and transformation that reveal the complex dynamics of desire and power. The story begins with Circe's vengeful transformation of Scylla into a monster after being rejected by Glaucus, showing how hurt pride can lead to devastating consequences. Aeneas continues his journey, encountering the ancient Sibyl who reveals her tragic bargain with Apollo—eternal life without eternal youth, a cautionary tale about getting exactly what you ask for. Meanwhile, Macareus recounts Odysseus's encounter with Circe, where his men are transformed into swine, representing how indulgence can reduce humans to their basest nature. The chapter then shifts to the story of Vertumnus and Pomona, where the shape-shifting god's persistent courtship through various disguises ultimately succeeds when he reveals his true self. Through the tale of cruel Anaxarete, who is turned to stone after her coldness drives Iphis to suicide, we see how emotional hardness can become literal transformation. The chapter concludes with the founding of Rome and the deification of Romulus and his wife Hersilia, showing how mortal achievements can earn immortal recognition. These interconnected stories explore themes of authentic love versus manipulation, the consequences of cruelty, and the idea that true transformation—whether divine or personal—comes from revealing rather than hiding one's authentic nature.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Transformation as punishment
In Ovid's world, gods often punish mortals or rivals by changing their physical form to match their character flaws. Circe turns Scylla into a monster because of jealousy, and Anaxarete becomes stone because of her cold heart.
Modern Usage:
We still say people 'become monsters' when they act cruelly, or someone has a 'heart of stone' when they're unfeeling.
Shape-shifting courtship
Vertumnus takes different forms to woo Pomona, appearing as various workers and finally an old woman to get close to her. This represents the masks people wear in relationships.
Modern Usage:
People still 'put on different personas' when dating, showing different sides of themselves to seem more appealing.
The Sibyl's bargain
The ancient priestess asked Apollo for as many years of life as grains of sand she could hold, but forgot to ask for eternal youth. She got exactly what she requested but not what she wanted.
Modern Usage:
This is like getting a promotion you wanted but realizing it comes with impossible hours and stress you didn't consider.
Divine jealousy
Gods in these stories often act on petty emotions just like humans, using their power to get revenge when rejected or slighted. Circe's magic turns deadly when Glaucus chooses Scylla over her.
Modern Usage:
We see this when people with power use it to hurt those who reject them, like bosses making life difficult for employees who won't date them.
Deification
The process of mortals becoming gods, usually as a reward for great deeds. Romulus and Hersilia are transformed into divine beings after founding and ruling Rome well.
Modern Usage:
We still 'put people on pedestals' or treat celebrities and successful people as if they're superhuman.
Authentic self revelation
Vertumnus finally wins Pomona's love not through disguises but by showing his true divine form. The message is that real connection comes from honesty, not pretense.
Modern Usage:
This is why dating advice always includes 'just be yourself' - genuine connections happen when people drop their masks.
Characters in This Chapter
Circe
Vengeful sorceress
Uses her magical powers to transform Scylla into a monster out of jealousy when Glaucus rejects her for Scylla. She represents how hurt pride can lead to destructive revenge.
Modern Equivalent:
The ex who uses their connections to sabotage your new relationship
Glaucus
Lovesick sea god
A minor sea deity who asks Circe for help winning Scylla's love, not realizing Circe wants him for herself. His innocent request sets off a chain of tragic events.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who asks his female friend for dating advice, not knowing she has feelings for him
Scylla
Innocent victim
Transformed into a monster by Circe's jealous magic, she becomes the famous sea monster that threatens sailors. She suffers for simply being the object of someone else's desire.
Modern Equivalent:
The woman who gets harassed or threatened because someone can't handle rejection
The Sibyl
Ancient oracle
Guides Aeneas to the underworld and tells her story of asking for immortality but forgetting to request eternal youth. She's now ancient and tiny but still alive.
Modern Equivalent:
The workplace veteran who's seen everything but warns about being careful what you wish for
Vertumnus
Persistent shape-shifting suitor
Takes multiple forms to court Pomona, finally winning her love when he reveals his true divine nature. Shows that authenticity trumps deception in love.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who tries different personalities on dating apps before realizing being genuine works better
Anaxarete
Cruel beauty
Her coldness drives Iphis to suicide, and she's punished by being turned to stone while watching his funeral. Represents how emotional cruelty can literally harden the heart.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who's so cold to others that they become emotionally dead inside
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between authentic influence and manipulative control in relationships and workplaces.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone (including yourself) uses indirect methods to get needs met instead of asking directly—then practice naming what you actually need without manipulation.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Do thou, a Goddess, have compassion on me a God; for thou alone art able to relieve this passion of mine"
Context: Glaucus asks Circe to help him win Scylla's love, not knowing Circe desires him
This shows how oblivious people can be to others' feelings when consumed by their own desires. Glaucus completely misses that Circe wants him, setting up the tragic chain of events that follows.
In Today's Words:
You're the only one who can help me get the girl I want
"I asked for years as many as the grains of sand I held, but foolishly forgot to ask for youth"
Context: The ancient oracle explains her curse to Aeneas
This reveals the danger of getting exactly what you ask for without thinking it through. The Sibyl's story serves as a warning about the unintended consequences of our deepest wishes.
In Today's Words:
I got what I asked for, but I didn't think about what I really needed
"Love conquers all, and even gods must yield to love"
Context: While trying to convince Pomona to accept love in one of his disguises
This captures the central theme that love is the most powerful force in the universe, capable of transforming even divine beings. It also foreshadows that Vertumnus himself will be conquered by his need to be authentic.
In Today's Words:
Nobody's immune to falling in love, not even the most powerful people
"Her heart was harder than the stone she became"
Context: Describing Anaxarete's transformation after her cruelty caused Iphis's death
This shows how Ovid uses physical transformation to represent inner character. Anaxarete's literal transformation into stone reflects the emotional hardness she already possessed.
In Today's Words:
She was already stone-cold inside before the curse made it official
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Authentic Power - When Masks Become Prison
The more we try to control outcomes through masks and manipulation, the further we drift from the genuine connection that actually gives us influence.
Thematic Threads
Transformation
In This Chapter
Multiple characters transform others or themselves through magic, but only authentic self-revelation creates positive change
Development
Evolved from earlier physical transformations to focus on psychological and relational transformation
In Your Life:
You might notice how you change your personality depending on who you're with, and whether those changes help or hurt your relationships
Power
In This Chapter
Divine powers are used for petty revenge and control, while true influence comes from vulnerability and authenticity
Development
Continued examination of how supernatural power often amplifies human flaws rather than solving them
In Your Life:
You might recognize when you use whatever power you have (knowledge, money, position) to control rather than connect
Love
In This Chapter
Courtship through deception ultimately fails while honest self-revelation succeeds; cruelty in love leads to literal hardening
Development
Deepened from earlier tales to show love requires mutual recognition and acceptance
In Your Life:
You might see how pretending to be someone else to win affection always backfires in the long run
Pride
In This Chapter
Wounded pride drives Circe to monstrous revenge and Anaxarete to deadly coldness
Development
Continued exploration of pride as a destructive force that prevents genuine connection
In Your Life:
You might notice how protecting your ego often costs you the very relationships you're trying to preserve
Recognition
In This Chapter
Characters seek recognition through power and status, but true recognition comes from being seen authentically
Development
Introduced here as the deeper need beneath desires for control and transformation
In Your Life:
You might realize how much energy you spend trying to be impressive rather than simply being yourself
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following Thomas's story...
Thomas finally gets promoted to creative director, but his former peer Sarah openly resents being passed over. Instead of addressing her hurt directly, Sarah starts subtle sabotage—'forgetting' to include Thomas in client emails, questioning his decisions in front of junior staff, spreading rumors about favoritism. Thomas feels the urge to retaliate by excluding her from projects or documenting every mistake. Meanwhile, his girlfriend keeps pushing him to 'play the game better'—network more strategically, present himself differently to seem more executive. But Thomas realizes that both Sarah's passive aggression and his girlfriend's image management advice are forms of manipulation. The real test isn't whether he can out-maneuver Sarah or perform a fake version of leadership—it's whether he can be direct about the workplace tension while staying authentic to his collaborative style.
The Road
The road Circe walked in ancient times, Thomas walks today. The pattern is identical: when hurt or insecurity strikes, we reach for control and manipulation instead of risking authentic communication.
The Map
This chapter provides a framework for distinguishing between authentic power and performance power. Thomas can use it to recognize when he's tempted to manipulate rather than communicate directly.
Amplification
Before reading this, Thomas might have gotten caught in escalating workplace drama or compromised his values to 'play politics.' Now he can NAME the difference between control and connection, PREDICT when people (including himself) will reach for manipulation, and NAVIGATE toward authentic leadership instead.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
When Circe transforms Scylla into a monster after being rejected by Glaucus, what does this reveal about how people handle romantic rejection?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Vertumnus succeed in winning Pomona only after he drops his disguises and reveals his true self?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today using 'shape-shifting' or manipulation instead of being authentic when they want something from others?
application • medium - 4
When you feel rejected or powerless, what's your go-to strategy - do you reach for control or do you risk being more vulnerable?
application • deep - 5
What does the pattern of these transformations teach us about the difference between authentic power and performance power?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Power Moves
Think of a recent situation where you wanted something from someone but felt uncertain about their response. Write down what you actually did versus what you actually needed. Then identify whether your approach was about control or connection. Finally, rewrite how you could have expressed your need more directly.
Consider:
- •Notice if you used guilt, drama, or indirect hints instead of clear requests
- •Consider whether your approach required the other person to guess what you needed
- •Ask yourself if you were more focused on avoiding rejection than creating understanding
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone was completely authentic with you about what they needed, even though it made them vulnerable. How did their honesty affect your response to them?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 15: The Philosopher's Final Lessons
In the next chapter, you'll discover ancient wisdom about change applies to modern life transitions, and learn understanding impermanence can reduce anxiety about loss. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.