My design leads me to speak of forms changed into new bodies. Ye Gods, (for you it was who changed them,) favor my attempts, and bring down the lengthened narrative from the very beginning of the world, even to my own times. [Ovid, Metamorphoses]
One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible insect. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. [Kafka, Metamorphosis]
These two authors, separated by almost 2000 years, begin their works in very different ways. Aside from the fact that Ovid speaks in the first person, what is the MOST significant difference in these excerpts?
Responses
AOvid seems to fear and despise transformation.
Ovid seems to fear and despise transformation.
BKafka is less descriptive than Ovid.
Kafka is less descriptive than Ovid.
COvid's says the gods caused the transformations he will describe.
Ovid's says the gods caused the transformations he will describe.
DKafka blames the gods for Samsa's transformation.