The transforming tale: Metamorphosis between image and words

Journal title RIVISTA SPERIMENTALE DI FRENIATRIA
Author/s Laura Manaresi
Publishing Year 2023 Issue 2023/2 Language Italian
Pages 99 P. 99-117 File size 1288 KB
DOI 10.3280/RSF2023-002007
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This contribution traces a path of reflection on the tales of metamorphosis’ potential and their representation, on the interaction be- tween the text and the images and on their potential dynamics of perception. The analysis starts from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the quintessential tale of transformation, through the observation of some exemplary mythical ep- isodes and their expression as a picture book, the quintessential visual tale. The first part of the journey is a study on words: a reflection on Metamor- phoses’ narrative dimension that stretches to a few considerations about the nature, dynamism and universality of metamorphosis itself. The second part of this contribution is focused on the role and potential of the image in relation to words, and on the visual and symbolical interpre- tation of some metamorphosis stories. We will study the punishing metamor- phosis of the man-wolf Lycaon, the transformations that save Corone, Anius’ daughters and Daphne and, finally, Cyparissus, Philemon and Baucis’ arbo- real transformations. The conclusions highlight the universality of myths, the idea of metamor- phosis as the adherence of form to an original authenticity, the potential of the interweaving between images and words: the relationship between those dimensions and the individual reader’s possible perceptions can bring to life a tale between image and words, capable of changing and of sustaining a process of transformation and growth.

Keywords: Metamorphosis; Myth; Story; Image; Perception; Illustration

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Laura Manaresi, Il racconto che trasforma: la metamorfosi tra immagine e parola in "RIVISTA SPERIMENTALE DI FRENIATRIA" 2/2023, pp 99-117, DOI: 10.3280/RSF2023-002007