Read the excerpt from The Metamorphoses by Ovid.
Soon as they reached the steps of the temple, each of them fell prostrate on the ground, and, trembling, gave kisses to the cold pavement. And thus they said:
". . . Give thy assistance, O most gentle Goddess to our ruined fortunes.” The Goddess was moved, and gave this response: "Depart from my temple. . . and throw behind your backs the bones of your great mother.”
Read the excerpt from the adaptation "The Flood” by James Baldwin.
While they were talking and trying to think what they should do, they heard a voice behind them. They turned and saw a noble young prince standing on one of the rocks above them. He was very tall, with blue eyes and yellow hair. There were wings on his shoes and on his cap, and in his hands he bore a staff with golden serpents twined around it. They knew at once that he was Mercury, the swift messenger of the Mighty Ones, and they waited to hear what he would say.
How does the adaptation compare to the original?
Baldwin’s adaptation says that Mercury helps the characters, while Ovid’s original says that an unnamed goddess does.
Baldwin’s adaptation describes the gods as demanding, while Ovid’s original describes them as merciful.
Baldwin’s adaptation says that the characters are friends of Mercury’s, while Ovid’s original says that the characters fear Mercury.
Baldwin’s adaptation describes the characters as dedicated to the gods, while Ovid’s original portrays them as disrespectful.
