This ground-breaking volume maps the shifting place and function of transformative change in the Western imaginary from antiquity to the present day. Shape-shifting, species crossing, transubstantiation, metamorphic magic, and mutation recur and echo throughout ancient and modern writing and thinking, and have continued in science fiction as tales of a newly empowered humanity manipulating the building blocks of life.
The idea of metamorphosis lies in uneasy coexistence with orderly world-views, and it is often cast out, or attributed to delusional, mad, or demonic impulses. Shape-shifting is considered ungodly by Augustine and the church fathers. Alchemy is censured as unscientific by Enlightenment thinkers. ‘Promethean’ experiments in creating new life are condemned as unnatural and dangerous by modern critics. Yet the very possibility of radical transformation continues to inspire hope as much as fear.
A provocative, theorizing, trans-cultural history, this book ranges across classics, art history, literature, philosophy, theology and film studies. A general introduction and three historical surveys are combined with twelve case studies to show the malleable, yet persistent, presence of metamorphosis throughout Western cultural history, from Homer and Ovid to Shakespeare, Proust and H. P. Lovecraft, and through figures such as Proteus, the Golden Ass, Kafka’s insect and The Fly.
Ingo Gildenhard is a Lecturer in Classics at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of King’s College. Andrew Zissos is a Professor of Classics at the University of California, Irvine.
Reviews:
‘This audacious volume is concerned with nothing less than the almost 3000-year metamorphosis of the concept of metamorphosis in the Western imaginary... A most compelling entry in the history of ideas.’ — Dan Curley, Bryn Mawr Classical Reviewonline, 2014.09.41
‘The volume is exciting, enjoyable as well as serious, and therefore not only suggestive for future research but also set to be useful in teaching. I would happily assign relevant portions of it in courses on classical traditions and receptions. Whether in the classroom or elsewhere, it deserves to reach a large audience.’ — Benjamin Eldon Stevens, American Journal of Philology 135.3, Fall 2014, 492-96
Contents:
1-34
General Introduction: Metamorphosis — A Phenomenology Ingo Gildenhard, Andrew Zissos
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew, ‘General Introduction: Metamorphosis — A Phenomenology’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 1–34
First footnote reference:35 Ingo Gildenhard, Andrew Zissos, ‘General Introduction: Metamorphosis — A Phenomenology’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 1–34, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Gildenhard and Zissos, p. 47.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew. 2013. ‘General Introduction: Metamorphosis — A Phenomenology’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 1–34
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew, ‘Introduction to Part I’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 36–87
First footnote reference:35 Ingo Gildenhard, Andrew Zissos, ‘Introduction to Part I’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 36–87, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Gildenhard and Zissos, p. 47.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew. 2013. ‘Introduction to Part I’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 36–87
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew, ‘The Transformations of Ovid’s Medea (Metamorphoses vii. 1–424)’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 88–130
First footnote reference:35 Ingo Gildenhard, Andrew Zissos, ‘The Transformations of Ovid’s Medea (Metamorphoses vii. 1–424)’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 88–130, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Gildenhard and Zissos, p. 47.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew. 2013. ‘The Transformations of Ovid’s Medea (Metamorphoses vii. 1–424)’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 88–130
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21.
Macrì, Sonia, ‘Lynx-stone and Coral: “Liquid Rocks” between Natural History and Myths of Transformation’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 131–52
First footnote reference:35 Sonia Macrì, ‘Lynx-stone and Coral: “Liquid Rocks” between Natural History and Myths of Transformation’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 131–52, p. 21.
Macrì, Sonia. 2013. ‘Lynx-stone and Coral: “Liquid Rocks” between Natural History and Myths of Transformation’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 131–52
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Macrì 2013: 21).
Baumbach, Manuel, ‘Proteus and Protean Epic: From Homer to Nonnos’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 153–62
First footnote reference:35 Manuel Baumbach, ‘Proteus and Protean Epic: From Homer to Nonnos’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 153–62, p. 21.
Baumbach, Manuel. 2013. ‘Proteus and Protean Epic: From Homer to Nonnos’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 153–62
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Baumbach 2013: 21).
Jaques, Zoe, ‘Arboreal Myths: Dryadic Transformations, Children’s Literature, and Fantastic Trees’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 163–82
First footnote reference:35 Zoe Jaques, ‘Arboreal Myths: Dryadic Transformations, Children’s Literature, and Fantastic Trees’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 163–82, p. 21.
Jaques, Zoe. 2013. ‘Arboreal Myths: Dryadic Transformations, Children’s Literature, and Fantastic Trees’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 163–82
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Jaques 2013: 21).
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew, ‘Introduction to Part II’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 184–221
First footnote reference:35 Ingo Gildenhard, Andrew Zissos, ‘Introduction to Part II’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 184–221, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Gildenhard and Zissos, p. 47.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew. 2013. ‘Introduction to Part II’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 184–221
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21.
Carver, Robert H. F., ‘Of Donkeys and D(a)emons: Metamorphosis and the Literary Imagination from Apuleius to Augustine’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 222–51
First footnote reference:35 Robert H. F. Carver, ‘Of Donkeys and D(a)emons: Metamorphosis and the Literary Imagination from Apuleius to Augustine’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 222–51, p. 21.
Carver, Robert H. F.. 2013. ‘Of Donkeys and D(a)emons: Metamorphosis and the Literary Imagination from Apuleius to Augustine’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 222–51
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Carver 2013: 21).
Caruso, Carlo, ‘Adonis as Citrus Tree: Humanist Transformations of an Ancient Myth’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 252–72
First footnote reference:35 Carlo Caruso, ‘Adonis as Citrus Tree: Humanist Transformations of an Ancient Myth’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 252–72, p. 21.
Caruso, Carlo. 2013. ‘Adonis as Citrus Tree: Humanist Transformations of an Ancient Myth’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 252–72
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Caruso 2013: 21).
Carver, Robert H. F., ‘Defacing God’s Work: Metamorphosis and the “Mimicall Asse” in the Age of Shakespeare’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 273–306
First footnote reference:35 Robert H. F. Carver, ‘Defacing God’s Work: Metamorphosis and the “Mimicall Asse” in the Age of Shakespeare’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 273–306, p. 21.
Carver, Robert H. F.. 2013. ‘Defacing God’s Work: Metamorphosis and the “Mimicall Asse” in the Age of Shakespeare’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 273–306
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Carver 2013: 21).
Giglioni, Guido, ‘Phantastica Mutatio: Johann Weyer’s Critique of the Imagination as a Principle of Natural Metamorphosis’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 307–30
First footnote reference:35 Guido Giglioni, ‘Phantastica Mutatio: Johann Weyer’s Critique of the Imagination as a Principle of Natural Metamorphosis’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 307–30, p. 21.
Giglioni, Guido. 2013. ‘Phantastica Mutatio: Johann Weyer’s Critique of the Imagination as a Principle of Natural Metamorphosis’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 307–30
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Giglioni 2013: 21).
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew, ‘Introduction to Part III’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 332–87
First footnote reference:35 Ingo Gildenhard, Andrew Zissos, ‘Introduction to Part III’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 332–87, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Gildenhard and Zissos, p. 47.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew. 2013. ‘Introduction to Part III’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 332–87
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21.
Spiegel, Francesca, ‘“Our Mind Is the Ancient Proteus”: Proust, the Poets, and the Sea’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 388–414
First footnote reference:35 Francesca Spiegel, ‘“Our Mind Is the Ancient Proteus”: Proust, the Poets, and the Sea’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 388–414, p. 21.
Spiegel, Francesca. 2013. ‘“Our Mind Is the Ancient Proteus”: Proust, the Poets, and the Sea’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 388–414
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Spiegel 2013: 21).
Pitcher, Luke, ‘“Horror in a Covered Platter”: H. P. Lovecraft and the Transformation of Petronius’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 415–25
First footnote reference:35 Luke Pitcher, ‘“Horror in a Covered Platter”: H. P. Lovecraft and the Transformation of Petronius’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 415–25, p. 21.
Pitcher, Luke. 2013. ‘“Horror in a Covered Platter”: H. P. Lovecraft and the Transformation of Petronius’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 415–25
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Pitcher 2013: 21).
Lloyd, Christopher, ‘Transforming the Experience of War in the Fiction of Marcel Aymé, René Barjavel and Michel Tournier’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 426–39
First footnote reference:35 Christopher Lloyd, ‘Transforming the Experience of War in the Fiction of Marcel Aymé, René Barjavel and Michel Tournier’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 426–39, p. 21.
Lloyd, Christopher. 2013. ‘Transforming the Experience of War in the Fiction of Marcel Aymé, René Barjavel and Michel Tournier’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 426–39
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Lloyd 2013: 21).
Brown, Sarah Annes, ‘The Parabola Paradox: Transformation and Science Fiction’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 440–52
First footnote reference:35 Sarah Annes Brown, ‘The Parabola Paradox: Transformation and Science Fiction’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 440–52, p. 21.
Brown, Sarah Annes. 2013. ‘The Parabola Paradox: Transformation and Science Fiction’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 440–52
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Brown 2013: 21).
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew, ‘Epilogue’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 453–55
First footnote reference:35 Ingo Gildenhard, Andrew Zissos, ‘Epilogue’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 453–55, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Gildenhard and Zissos, p. 47.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Zissos, Andrew. 2013. ‘Epilogue’, in Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 453–55
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Andrew Zissos (eds), Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013)
First footnote reference:35Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood, ed. by Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Gildenhard and Zissos, p. 47.
Gildenhard, Ingo, and Andrew Zissos (eds). 2013. Transformative Change in Western Thought: A History of Metamorphosis from Homer to Hollywood (Cambridge: Legenda)
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Gildenhard and Zissos 2013: 21.
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