The Myth of Pyramus and Thisbe

The mythical poem Metamorphoses1 is a work by the Roman writer, Ovid. The source for the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe from Metamorphoses cannot be identified, but studies suggest that Ovid must have refined the story from the Cilician myth.2 Furthermore, Latin versions of the myth are not seen before Ovid’s time, and therefore, and it can be concluded that Ovid’s version of the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe is the first.2 The later Latin translations that are seen are based on Ovid’s version.2 The Metamorphoses contain a moral dimension where the general theme is how one’s flaw can be punishable. We see is this in the Pyramus and Thisbe’s myth that Ovid gives in the Metamorphoses: the impulsive characteristic as shown through Pyramus’ character is a flaw that leads to his death, and ultimately Thisbe’s.3

Floor mosaic from Villa of Dionysos showing Thisbe, Pyramus holding his dagger, and the lioness with a veil in her mouth; imperial Roman period, Villa of Dionysos, Paphos Archaeological Park, Cyprus.

SUMMARY:

Pyramus and Thisbe (Metamorphoses, Book 4)

Pyramus and Thisbe lived in the same city and their neighborly relationship soon grew into love, but their parents were against their decision to get engaged. Through a crack in the wall that connected their two houses, they would communicate and tell each other love stories. One night they arranged to run away together and meet near Ninus’ tomb. Since Ovid “changed the location” of the myth from Cilician to Babylon, the lovers must “travel a great distance to meet each other near the designated tomb.”4 Thisbe snuck out of her house wearing a veil but ran back to hide in a dark cave when she saw a lioness. The lioness tore the veil, which had fallen off Thisbe, with its bloody mouth, and left it on the ground. Pyramus saw the veil and thinks that Thisbe is dead. He blames himself. He kissed the veil and then stabbed himself in the heart with his dagger. Thisbe came back and saw the tree had changed colors. The transformation of the berries of the mulberry tree from white to red represents the berries being stained by the blood of the dead lover.4 Thisbe thinks that she is in the wrong place, and when she finds Pyramus’ dead body, she hugs it. She kissed him, and Pyramus opened his eyes for a moment and saw Thisbe, then closed them again. She asked their fathers to place them both into the same grave. Thisbe took the dagger and stabbed it into her chest. Her request was conveyed to the fathers by the gods. Their similar actions of taking their lives show how the love between Pyramus and Thisbe voices mutual love. Thisbe’s actions brought on change when she asks their fathers to bury Pyramus and her in the same tomb, whereas “Pyramus died of rash misjudgment.”3 An alternative ending is seen in other versions of the myth, where instead of both Thisbe and Pyramus dying under the mulberry tree, Pyramus is transformed into a river and is in search of Thisbe, his lover.5

CHARACTER ANALYSIS:

Pyramus – Faithful in his love as he took his life mistaking that his lover died because of him. The myth describes him as “beautiful” and courageous.1 Additionally, he was a bit impulsive, as he killed himself over rash misjudgment.3 This is a flaw that gets him punished by costing him his life as well as his lover’s life. Alternatively, in other versions of the myth, such as in the Latin versions, Pyramus is trying to find Thisbe who has gone missing, and in this version, Pyramus is described as a river.5

Thisbe – A beautiful girl that loved Pyramus, despite her father’s disapproval. She was cautious, as she ran to hid when the lioness came. Furthermore, she is true to her words to Pyramus as she returns to where they agreed to see each other. She is strong to follow her lover into death. These are qualities of Thisbe in the human form, alternatively, in other versions of the myth, Thisbe was a Nymph of the country from whom the “city of Thisbe in Boiotia” has received its name.6

Bibliography:

Anderson, William S. “Aspects of Love in Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’.” The Classical Journal 90 (1995): 265-69.

Duke, T.T. “Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe.” The Classical Journal 66 (1971): 320-27.

Jones, W.H.S. (transl.) Pausanias: Description of Greece. Harvard University Press, 1918. Accessed online at: https://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NympheThisbe.html

Knox, Peter E. “Pyramus and Thisbe in Cyprus.” Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 92 (1989): 315-28. 

Rouse, W.H.D. (transl.) Nonnos: Dionysiaca. Harvard University Press, 1940. Accessed online at: https://www.theoi.com/Potamos/PotamosAlpheios.html

“Metamorphoses” 1, 4, 6-10.

Roman mosaic from Paphos of Pyramus and Thisbe

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1 Ovid Metamorphoses 4.55-166, translated by Frank

2 Knox 1989: 316.

3 Anderson 1995: 268.

4 Duke 1971: 325.

5 Nonnos Dionysiaca 6.339ff, translated by Rouse

6 Pausanias Description of Greece 9.32.2, translated by Jones