Analyzing Ovid's Metamorphoses

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Metamorphoses begins with Ovid’s prayer to the gods, asking for inspiration and guidance as he starts to write his poem. He begins the poem with four words: in nova fert animus. The “novelty [of the poem] is implied in these four words,” demonstrating Ovid’s approach to a brand new type of epic poem (Griffin 61). These words mean that his inspiration is taking him in a whole new direction, emphasizing his goal to write something unique and unlike anything else. Ovid ends the introduction with the phrase, “from the world’s beginning to the present day” (Ovid 652). This suggests that the transformations and changes occurred as far back as the beginning of the world and continue to occur today. After his prayer, Ovid continues to the first transformation.