The myth of Arachne has many interpretations, but at its most basic, it reflects the struggle between a defiant rebel and oppressive authority. Ovid recorded the myth in Ancient Rome during Augustus’ reign. Although it is an ancient Greek legend, the oldest version of the story comes from Ancient Rome.
Ovid's telling of the myth
Ovid's retelling of the tale of Arachne is a poetic allegory of censorship and artistic talent. Arachne's tale is a great example of the Roman government's suppression and censorship of the arts. Ovid himself was an exiled writer, and his tapestry might reflect his frustration at being blocked from reaching a wider audience.
Ovid's parallels of arachne
Ovid, the Roman poet, wrote Arachne's story in the first century AD. It is part a collection called Metamorphoses that compiles stories of magical transformation. Ovid has a unique perspective, even though the story may look like other stories. Ovid may also have included elements of his own personality within the story. Arachne, a young Lydian girls, is described in the poem as a skilled dyer. He was skilled at dyeing purple cloth, wool, and making beautiful tapestries of the rich fleece.
Athena's reaction at arachne s tapestry
Athena was furious at Arachne's tapestry and wanted to punish her. Arachne was so mad that she gave her tapestry to the Mygdonia goddess and put her hand on her head. She fled the contest as well as the workshop.
Minerva's response in kind to arachne’s tapestry
Minerva's response in kind to Arachne’s tapestry was a powerful symbol for divine exploitation. The tapestry shows a series sins perpetrated by gods against human beings. Minerva tears down the tapestry Arachne had made as she tried to hang herself. Arachne then is struck by her shuttle (a wooden object that used to hold a thread spool). Arachne then becomes a spider and the tapestry is destroyed.
Athena's response in kind to arachne’s tapestry
According to ancient Greek mythology Athena's reaction to Arachne’s tapestry reveals that Athens was named for her. The tapestry depicts scenes of gods and their power and was woven with only the best grass blades. Athena was depicted with her shield and spear in an armored outfit. Twelve Olympian gods surround her, including Zeus. Athena's beauty is being admired by Zeus.
Ovid's criticism of arachne’s tapestry
Ovid describes Arachne’s weaving technique in the Metamorphoses. Ovid describes in detail the beautiful weaving that was considered art. Ovid appears to be upset at the Roman government's attempts to censor his artwork. This could be a sign of his disapproval for Augustus' tactics.