Metamorphoses · Character

Hercules

Legendary strongman and son of Jove whose labors and violent death make him the poem's great emblem of mortal endurance.

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Also known as Alcides, Hercules Achelous

First appearance: trojan war

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Hercules strides through the Metamorphoses as the hero whose strength is matched only by the suffering it earns him, from monstrous labors to a death by poisoned robe. His presence anchors tales of Theban and Greek glory, and his eventual apotheosis shows how Ovid turns even the hardest mortal life into a story of transformation. He matters because he proves that in this poem, no feat of power escapes the pull of change.

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Character Web

21 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Heroes, gods, and their victims
Transformation through desire and violence
Heroic quests and divine interventions

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Telethusa’s de…

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In the story

Hercules appears across 18 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Story of Coronis, and Birth of Esculapius
Chiron, the centaur, is mentioned as the one to whom Apollo entrusts the infant Esculapius; Chiron is associated with Hercules in myth.
Book VII
Mentioned in connection with Euryphilus's town and the matrons' punishment.
Death of Pelias
Referenced in the description of Euryphilus' town, defaced by him.
Story of Aegeus
Mentioned as Alcides, who dragged Cerberus from the underworld, leading to the origin of the aconite poison.
Book IX
Suffers a painful death from the poisoned robe sent by Deianira, then is transformed into a god.
Story of Achelous and Hercules
Contends with Achelous for Dejanira, defeats him in wrestling and after transformations, tears off his horn.
Death of Nessus the Centaur
Kills Nessus with a poisoned arrow after the centaur assaults his bride Dejanira.
Death of Hercules
The hero, returning victorious from Oechalia, is poisoned by the tunic sent by Dejanira and suffers a agonizing death.
Transformation of Lychas Into a Rock
Anguished by the poisoned shirt, Hercules hurls Lychas into the sea in a fit of rage.
Apotheosis of Hercules
The hero of immortal birth who ascends to godhood after his mortal body is consumed by fire.
Transformation of Galanthis
Alcmena's son, whose birth is delayed by Juno's hatred.
Iolaus Restored to Youth
Requests Hebe to restore youth to Iolaus.
Building of Troy
Saves Laomedon's daughter from the sea monster but is denied his reward; later sacks Troy.
Skirmish Between the Centaurs and Lapithites
Mentioned as 'great Alcides' whose bow is destined to kill Nessus; his arms are used in the battle.
Fate of Periclymenos
Alcides, the father of Tlepolemus, who slew Nestor's brothers and mortally wounded Periclymenos.
Book XV
Hercules is mentioned in the context of the centaurs washing their wounds in the Anigros river, which made its waters brackish.
Pythagorean Philosophy
Mentioned in the context of the Centaurs washing their wounds in the Anigros river, making its waters brackish.
Occasion of Esculapius Being Brought to Rome
The city of Naples is described as adorned with Alcides' (Hercules') spoils.

Chapter companion notes

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