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Metamorphoses · Character

Polyphemus

A Cyclops whose crude, volcanic love for the sea nymph Galatea turns murderous when he catches her with his rival Acis.

supporting

First appearance: Story of Acis, Polyphemus, and Galatea

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Polyphemus inhabits the pastoral world as a monstrous shepherd whose size and strength make him both ridiculous and terrifying as a suitor. His desire for Galatea curdles into jealous rage, exposing how love in Ovid so…

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See Polyphemus in Story of Acis, Polyphemus, and Galatea

Character Web

3 connections

A slice of how Polyphemus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

SCScyllaSASalmacisGAGalateaPOPolyphemus

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Love, jealousy, and monstrous unions
  • Sorcery and monstrous transformations

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Narrative arc

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

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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

Polyphemus appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Polyphemus in Story of Acis, Polyphemus, and Galatea