La metamorfosi in due capitoli in terza rima di Ariosto

Abstract

This paper explores the themes and interpretations of metamorphosis in Ariosto’s two Chapters written in third rhyme, focusing on a woman turned into a hooded crow and a raven whose feathers change from white to black. These metamorphoses are linked to Ovidian and Pythagorean memory, highlighting the punishment of curiosity. In Chapter IV, Ariosto uses a woman’s embroidery to symbolize hidden meanings and secrets. The narrative recalls myths where transgressors of secrets, like Tiresias and Actaeon, are punished. Chapter VI discusses the significance of silence through the myth of the raven turned black for revealing Coronis’s infidelity. Ariosto’s references to rare versions of myths emphasize a deeper symbolic and philosophical meaning. The metamorphoses are tied to Pythagorean mysteries, underscoring the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of silence, ultimately elevating the poet’s art to reveal divine truths.