Question

How might the opening lines you read from Ovid’s Metamorphoses relate to Kafka’s The Metamorphosis? While Ovid discusses how the gods are responsible for transformation (“bodies changing forms”), does Kafka explain Gregor’s transformation in similar terms? What force seems to be responsible for Gregor’s transformation into an insect?

Answer 1

In Ovid's "Metamorphoses", gods are responsible for altering the physical forms of earthly creatures. Ovid doesn't state it in the introductory lines, but the epic itself makes it clear that gods do it almost whimsically, of their own accord and for their own purposes. Kafka never says who transformed Gregor into a vermin. He even uses a passive construction: Gregor "found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin". A faceless, nameless force seems to be responsible for this unexpected occurrence. Kafka makes it look almost absurd, as Gregor's world is all too real, so no gods or any supernatural force can be involved. However different the two works are, one thing is similar - people are completely powerless and helpless. All they can do is to suffer or annihilate themselves.

Answer 2

The notion of transformation is the focus of both the beginning lines of Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. However, each work defines transformation differently. The opening lines of Ovid’s Metamorphoses talk about the transformation of bodies into other forms in a celebratory way. In contrast, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis centers on Gregor’s sudden transformation from a human to an insect, but his change seems horrific rather than something to celebrate.

Ovid’s background influenced his view of transformation in Metamorphoses. His work reflects the fact that he lived in a polytheistic society that worshipped many gods, and he attributed the formation of the universe to these deities. On the other hand, Kafka’s story is focused primarily on the transformation of the individual. God does not factor into the equation for Gregor in any manner.