Also, mary zimmermans production of the metamorphes, which. By writing the metamorphoses in dactylic hexameter, the meter of epic, ovid intentionally invited comparisons with the greatest roman poet of his age, virgil, who had written the epic the aeneid. They worked very long and hard in rehearsals and the final product was amazing. Jupiter is the son of saturn, the husband and sister of juno, and the brother of neptune and dis. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. Second, the narrator describes the creation of the. Even though ovid starts out by talking about the creation of the whole universe, for most of the poem his focus is more limited. Called by time the theater event of the year, mary zimmerman s metamorphoses brings ovids tales to stunning visual life. Oct 19, 2015 smith college department of theatre presents metamorphoses by mary zimmerman directed by hannah sachs 16 october 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 7. Metamorphoses creator mary zimmerman on the power of myths. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses, a play currently showing at the edison theatre, challenges a viewers relationship with change.
In the early 21st century, the poem continues to inspire and be retold through books, 56 films 57 and plays. Metamorphoses lookingglass theatre fourteen years ago lookingglass debuted metamorphoses, a play of such grace and beauty that the memory of it still lingers in the minds of audiences today. Width in pixels px height in pixels px copied to your clipboard unable to copy. Metamorphoses play by mary zimmerman, 9780810119802, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. First, the narrator prays to the gods for inspiration, lays out his theme metamorphosis, and states his intention to write a single continuous poem that stretches from the origins of the world to his own day. In 1998, mary zimmermans stage adaptation metamorphoses premiered at the lookingglass theatre, and the following year there was an adaptation of tales from. It transferred to broadway on 21 february 2002 at the circle in the. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide. Mary zimmerman, a member of chicagos lookingglass theatre company and a professor at northwestern university, started working on her adaptation of metamorphoses back in 1996. Achelous was a river god and talks badly of hercules, who was not yet a god, and criticizes his parentage, claiming him to be a bastard and calling his mother. Deianira was a lovely, beautiful girl who had many suitors, including hercules. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses deborah garwood metamorphoses, a play written and directed by mary zimmerman, second stage theatre and circle in the square theatre, new york. I cannot remember a time when scholarly interest in a particular classical author was equaled, and maybe exceeded, by a popular enthusiasm measured in weeks on the bestseller lists, boffo box office, and tony awards.
The work is a collection of mythological and legendary stories, many taken from greek sources, in which transformation metamorphosis plays a role. Some of the stories include king midas, orpheus and eurydice, and eros and psyche. Metamorphoses by mary zimmerman flashcards quizlet. Metamorphosis is based on thousandsyearold, stories presented in vignettes. See a complete list of the characters in metamorphoses and indepth analyses of. May 07, 2015 a couple of scenes from our colleges production from the play metamorphoses by mary zimmerman. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses cleveland play house.
We talk to mary zimmerman, director and creator of metamorphoses, now completing a successful run in the fichlander at arena stage at the mead center for american theater. Set in and around a large pool of water onstage, metamorphoses juxtaposes the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image to reflect the variety and persistence of narrative in the face of inevitable change. Metamorphoses is a latin narrative poem by ovid that was first published in 8 ad. Metamorphoses means transformations, and transformation is the governming theme of the text. Metamorphoses pst opens season with mary zimmermans. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses season 20 episode 022820. Selected monologues from metamorphosis including video examples, context and character information. Positioned in and around a large pool on the stage, the characters enact zimmerman s adaptations of ovids tales, juxtaposing the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image. Metamorphoses after diving deeper into the production of metamorphoses i couldnt help but recognize a theme of, the powers of love. Zimmerman shared her insights on the creation of the piece, the power of myths and how metamorphoses has touched audiences over the years. Called by time the theater event of the year, mary zimmermans met. Throughout this play, a reader will understand that the recognizable theme is change. A couple of scenes from our colleges production from the play metamorphoses by mary zimmerman.
Indeed, one might compare metamorphoses to a modernday collection of fables, though fables often have clear morals or meanings, which cannot be said of ovids. But, metamorphoses is also a compilation of myths, some complimentary and some almost contradictory, that were wellknown in ovids society. I cannot remember a time when scholarly interest in a particular classical author was. Adapted, inspired, and propelled by ovids epic poem, metamorphoses, mary zimmerman reinterprets ancient myths and stories for a modern audience. The point is, in ovids metamorphoses, they are two different guys. See a complete list of the characters in metamorphoses and indepth analyses of jupiter, juno, orpheus, apollo, and the narrator. A violent and sexual god, he floods the earth and frequently rapes young maidens. Positioned in and around a large pool on the stage, the characters enact zimmermans adaptations of ovids tales, juxtaposing the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image. Tony awardnominated for best play, metamorphoses overflows with gorgeous imagery and visionary theatricality. Summary book 1 the metamorphoses encompasses dozens of myths arranged in a series of 15 books. Smith college department of theatre presents metamorphoses by mary zimmerman directed by hannah sachs 16 october 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 7. Zimmerman is the 1998 recipient of a macarthur fellowship as well as ten joseph jefferson awards. Using movement, song, and vivid dramatic and comedic storytelling, metamorphoses explores love, loss, power. Metamorphoses, mary zimmermans 1998 theatrical updating of ovids 8 ad fifteenvolume poetic masterpiece based on greek myths, is.
The metamorphoses encompasses dozens of myths arranged in a series of 15 books. A rippling, onstage pool conjures a magical world where gods and mortals coexist and universal tales of fate, lost love, greed and death are shared. Metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman by. From acclaimed playwright mary zimmerman of chicagos lookingglass theatre comes this dazzling adaptation of ovids classic myths. Book 1 opens with an invocation to the gods and continues with the story of the creation of the world. In 1998, mary zimmerman s stage adaptation metamorphoses premiered at the lookingglass theatre, and the following year there was an adaptation of tales from ovid by the royal shakespeare company.
Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. The criticallyacclaimed, recordbreaking chicago engagement led to a broadway production that garnered mary zimmerman the 2002 tony award for best. The play is based off of ovids metamorphoses, and features stories from greek mythology. Apollo is the god of poetry and healing and prophecy and archery, and all that nifty stuff. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of metamorphoses and what it means. The narrator describes the four ages of mankind that came after creation, as humans became increasingly violent and irreverent toward the gods. Ovid is most famous for the metamorphoses, a single poem of fifteen books, which was probably completed around a. This study guide consists of approximately 55 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of metamorphoses. Both presentational and representational in style, the show features many of the characters who are familiar to audiences from common myths and legends including king midas, eurydice, zeus, orpheus, and aphrodite. Now, tony awardwinner mary zimmerman brings celeste albarets story to life in a onewoman tourdeforce. Both presentational and representational in style, the show features many of the characters who are familiar to.
Complete summary of ovids the metamorphoses of ovid. The play opened offbroadway in october 2001 at the second stage theatre. To describe mary zimmermans metamorphoses as a splashy production is almost irresistibleits hard to think of a show in history thats doused its audience so enthusiasticallybut the pun does a disservice to a profoundly moving, nuanced piece. Metamorphoses displays a very vivid display concerning this theme. A play by mary zimmerman joseph farrell i cannot remember a time when scholarly interest in a particular classical author was equaled, and maybe exceeded, by a popular enthusiasm measured in weeks on the bestseller lists, boffo box office, and tony awards.
Jupiters decisions drive much of the plot of the metamorphoses. The roles of scientist, narrator, mother, pandora, nursemaid. The tone of the drama likewise echoes the themes of change and contrast, from the humor of phaetons therapy. Metamorphoses is a play by the american playwright and director mary zimmerman, adapted from the classic ovid poem metamorphoses. Jun 30, 2002 the play is based off of ovids metamorphoses, and features stories from greek mythology. Based on the myths recorded by roman poet ovid 43 bc 17. Slavitts translation of the metamorphoses of ovid works to uncover the public dreams of ancient rome that still reveal. The play itself is amazingly written by mary zimmerman, and features lessons of love, dreams, fidelity, and faith among many things. Metamorphoses, poem in 15 books, written in latin about 8 ce by ovid. Metamorphoses study guide contains a biography of ovid, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses as a splashy production is almost irresistibleits hard to think of a show in history thats doused its audience so enthusiasticallybut the pun does a disservice to a profoundly moving, nuanced piece of theater. The objective of the performance was to present the transitions and effects that love has on people, by staging different myths and stories.
Cosmogony used to explain the creation of the world, as well as give the audience a sense of the style and setting of the play. Mary zimmerman s play metamorphoses is based on ovids fifteenvolume work of transformation myths. It has been said that mary zimmerman, a playwright based in chicago, improvises rather than writes her plays. This study guide and infographic for ovids metamorphoses offer summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Called by time the theater event of the year, mary zimmermans metamorphoses brings ovids tales to stunning visual life. Because sol is just the latin word for sun, we at shmoop following the translator allen.
The ancient mediterranean, from the beginning of time to the 1st century a. Metamorphoses is a play by the american playwright and director, mary zimmerman, adapted from the classic ovid poem, metamorphoses. Metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman. Mary zimmerman, most noted for metamorphoses, her tonywinning recycling of ovids myths, doesnt shortchange the horror in the secret in the wings, a collection of fairy tales. Mar 01, 20 mary zimmerman, a member of chicagos lookingglass theatre company and a professor at northwestern university, started working on her adaptation of metamorphoses back in 1996. Check out metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman by willy schwarz on amazon music. Mary zimmermans play metamorphoses is based on ovids fifteenvolume work of transformation myths. The work is a collection of mythological and legendary stories, many taken from greek sources, in which transformation metamorphosis plays a role, however minor. The play premiered in 1996 as six myths at northwestern university and later the lookingglass theatre company in chicago.
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