Ovid's Metamorphoses and the Environmental Imagination

This collection examines Ovid's Metamorphoses and its relevance to contemporary environmental thought, highlighting its influence on ecological discourse.

This book positions Ovid’s Metamorphoses as a foundational text in the western history of environmental thought. The poem explores the emergence of new forms of life, where stones, springs, plants, and animals arise from human origins, creating a world filled with hybrid objects. These entities maintain varying degrees of human subjectivity while adopting new physical forms, thus challenging the established boundaries of existence. Through this lens, Metamorphoses reveals the fluidity between human and non-human agencies, highlighting the potential dangers that arise from their fusion.

The essays in this volume draw upon a range of modern environmental theorists, examining how Ovid’s work models the intricate relationship between humans and other life forms. This relationship resonates deeply with contemporary eco-criticism, suggesting that the worldview depicted in Metamorphoses embodies a 'premodern' ecological mindset that current environmental thought strives to emulate. The contributors argue for the relevance of Ovid’s insights in understanding the complex ecologies that shape our world today.

Additionally, the book highlights significant moments in the historical reception of Metamorphoses, including reflections from contemporary poets and analyses of Medieval and Renaissance interpretations. This collection of essays provides a nuanced exploration of contemporary environmental approaches to Ovid's work, illustrating its enduring impact on ecological discourse.