# Mercury — Metamorphoses character guide

> Mercury in Metamorphoses by Ovid.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hermes, The trusty Hermes

**First appearance:** 0008-transformation-of-io-into-a-heifer-and-the-eyes-of-argus-into-a-peacock-s-train

## Snapshot

Wing-footed messenger of Jove who descends in polished splendor to woo on a god's behalf and enforce heaven's will on earth.

## Who they are

Mercury arrives at Herse's ivory-lined chamber arrayed with nicest art, his sleep-procuring wand in hand, and promptly enlists her sister Aglauros as a go-between in his errand of love. His smooth negotiation sets off a chain of envy and punishment that reveals how divine desire disrupts mortal households. As Jove's son and messenger, he embodies the poem's traffic between Olympus and earth, where a god's casual courtship can doom a family.

## In the story

### [Transformation of Io Into a Heifer, and the Eyes of Argus Into a Peacock’s Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-io-into-a-heifer-and-the-eyes-of-argus-into-a-peacock-s-train)

Sent by Jove to kill Argus; uses a pipe and storytelling to lull Argus to sleep before striking.

### [Transformation of Syrinx Into Reeds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-syrinx-into-reeds)

Hermes tells the story of Syrinx and later slays Argus.

### [Transformation of Battus to a Touchstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-battus-to-a-touchstone)

The thievish god who steals Apollo's cattle and tests Battus's loyalty.

### [Story of Aglauros Transformed Into a Statue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-aglauros-transformed-into-a-statue)

The god who falls in love with Herse and seeks Aglauros's aid.

### [Europa's Rape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/europa-s-rape)

Sent by Jove to drive the herd of heifers to the shore, executing his father's plan.

### [Andromeda Rescued from the Sea Monster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/andromeda-rescued-from-the-sea-monster)

One of the gods to whom Perseus builds an altar.

### [Song of the Pierides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/song-of-the-pierides)

Transformed into an ibis, a change deemed obscene.

### [Story of Baucis and Philemon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-baucis-and-philemon)

Accompanies Jove in disguise, laying aside his rod, and participates in the divine test of hospitality.

### [Transformation of Daedalion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/transformation-of-daedalion)

Father of Autolycus by Chione.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/mercury
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters