Scylla (Met. 8.1-151)

Scylla falls in love with Minos, who is besieging her city. In an attempt to seduce Minos, Scylla shears off the hair of her father, Nisus, which had been saving the city from defeat. Upon learning of her impious act, however, Minos rebuffs the girl, who is transformed into a sea bird called the ciris ("shearer").

Model play.

None that we know of.

Areas to explore.

Given that there is no dramatic model, how does Ovid infuse this episode with drama? In particular, how does Scylla's passion reflect the experience of Phaedra?

Bibliography.

• A. Hollis, Ovid, Metamorphoses Book VIII.
• D. H. J. Larmour, "Tragic Contaminatio in Ovid's Metamorphoses."
• C. Newlands, "The Metamorphosis of Ovid's Medea."
• B. Otis, Ovid as an Epic Poet.