batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley-gutenberg-l10354-l10448
---
record_id: batch.motif.roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley-gutenberg-l10354-l10448
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
passage_locator:
label: EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION. / EXPLANATION.; lines 10354-10448
start: '10354'
end: '10448'
translation: The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books I-VII
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: "“Thou hast within thee, that for which thou art asking.”"
summary: The passage summarizes and narrates Progne rescuing Philomela under cover
of Bacchic rites, bringing her to Tereus's house, resolving revenge for Philomela's
violation, killing Itys with Philomela, cooking and serving him to Tereus, and
revealing the deed by words and by throwing Itys's bloody head at his father.
The fable summary also states that Progne, Philomela, and Tereus are transformed
into birds while fleeing Tereus's fury.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The fable summary says Progne delivers Philomela from captivity and brings
her to Tereus's court.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The fable summary says Progne and Philomela murder Itys and Progne serves
him at a feast for Tereus.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The fable summary says Progne becomes a swallow, Philomela a nightingale,
and Tereus a lapwing.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: The narrated action is set during the triennial festival of Bacchus, celebrated
at night with cymbals and ritual dress.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Progne goes out dressed for Bacchic rites, wearing vine leaves and deer skins
and carrying a light spear.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Progne breaks open the gates of Philomela's lonely dwelling, seizes her, dresses
her in Bacchic badges, hides her face with ivy foliage, and brings her home.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Philomela cannot speak and uses her hand in place of voice to call the gods
to witness that her disgrace was caused by violence.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Progne proposes revenge by fire, mutilation, or repeated wounding before deciding
what to do.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Itys comes to Progne, embraces and kisses her, and briefly moves her to tears
before she resolves on the deed.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Progne compares Itys's likeness to his father and treats that likeness as
prompting revenge.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Progne drags Itys to a remote part of the house and strikes him with a sword
while he cries out and clings to her neck.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Philomela cuts Itys's throat, and the women dismember him, boiling part of
him in cauldrons and roasting part on spits.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Progne falsely pretends that country rites require only one man to be present,
thereby removing Tereus's attendants and servants.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: Tereus unknowingly eats the banquet made from his son and asks that Itys be
sent for.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: Progne tells Tereus that what he asks for is already within him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:16
text: Philomela appears with disordered hair and throws Itys's bloody head in Tereus's
face.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Progne
description: Queen, wife of Tereus, sister of Philomela, mother of Itys; she rescues
Philomela, plans revenge, kills Itys, serves him to Tereus, and reveals the murder.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Philomela
description: Progne's sister, held captive, unable to speak because her tongue has
been torn out; she participates in killing Itys and reveals the deed by throwing
his head at Tereus.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:2
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Tereus
description: King, husband of Progne and father of Itys; he is described as guilty
and unknowingly eats his son at the banquet.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Itys
description: Son of Progne and Tereus; he comes to his mother, is killed by Progne
and Philomela, cooked, served to Tereus, and represented by his bloody head in
the revelation scene.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Bacchus
description: The god whose triennial festival and ritual symbols Progne uses as
cover; Progne pretends her fury is inspired by him.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Sithonian matrons and Progne's followers
description: Women associated with the Bacchic festival; a multitude follows Progne
through the woods.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: rescuer by disguise
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Progne reaches the lonely dwelling, breaks open the gates, disguises Philomela
with Bacchic signs, and brings her home.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: Progne declares that the matter must be answered with a sword or worse, and
Progne and Philomela kill and dismember Itys.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: mother who kills her child
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Progne strikes Itys with a sword despite his appeals to her as mother.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: deceptive feast-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Progne prepares the banquet, removes attendants under pretense of rites,
and sets Tereus before the meal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: captive and silenced sister
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Philomela is delivered from captivity and is unable to speak, using her hand
as a substitute for voice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: revelation agent
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Philomela springs forth and throws Itys's bloody head in Tereus's face.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: unwitting cannibal father
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Tereus unknowingly eats the banquet made from Itys and asks for him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: target of revenge
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Progne names Tereus as guilty and debates ways to punish him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: child victim
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Itys is killed by his mother and aunt and dismembered while still quivering.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: token of revelation
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: His head is thrown at Tereus to reveal what has happened.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: ritual deity invoked as cover
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The events occur during Bacchic rites, and Progne pretends her fury is inspired
by Bacchus.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:12
label: ritual company
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage describes matrons celebrating Bacchus and followers attending
Progne through the woods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Bacchic ritual dress
literal_form: vine leaves, deer skins, light spear, Bacchic badges, ivy foliage
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: night festival
literal_form: night, cymbals, triennial rites of Bacchus
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: sword
literal_form: steel or sword used in Progne's proposed revenge and in the killing
of Itys
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: fire threat
literal_form: torches, flames, proposed burning of the royal palace
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: cauldrons and spits
literal_form: hollow cauldrons and spits used to cook Itys's body
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: bloody head
literal_form: the bloody head of Itys thrown in Tereus's face
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: bird transformations
literal_form: swallow, nightingale, lapwing
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Bacchic night setting
summary: During the nighttime festival of Bacchus, Progne assumes ritual dress and
moves through the woods with followers, presenting her fury as divine inspiration.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Rescue under ritual disguise
summary: Progne reaches Philomela's lonely dwelling, breaks the gates, seizes her
sister, dresses and veils her in Bacchic symbols, and brings her inside her own
threshold.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Silent testimony and revenge planning
summary: Philomela, unable to speak, gestures that violence caused her disgrace;
Progne rejects tears and considers violent forms of revenge against Tereus.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Itys prompts the chosen revenge
summary: Itys comes affectionately to Progne; she is moved but then turns between
him and Philomela, contrasts his speech with Philomela's silence, and resolves
against tenderness.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Murder and preparation of the child
summary: Progne drags Itys to a remote part of the house and strikes him; Philomela
cuts his throat; the women dismember and cook the body in cauldrons and on spits.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Unwitting cannibal feast
summary: Progne removes Tereus's attendants by pretending to observe rites, serves
the cooked child to Tereus, and he unknowingly eats while asking for Itys.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Revelation of the banquet
summary: Progne tells Tereus that what he asks for is within him; Philomela appears
and throws Itys's bloody head in his face.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:8
label: Bird metamorphoses in the fable summary
summary: The fable summary states that Progne, Philomela, and Tereus flee or react
after the banquet and are transformed into a swallow, nightingale, and lapwing.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: ritual disguise enabling rescue and revenge
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: Progne uses Bacchic attire, cries, and badges to enter the dwelling, conceal
Philomela, and bring her home.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference is approximate; the passage shows deception through
ritual costume but does not name a trickster figure.
- id: motif:2
label: silenced victim gives nonverbal testimony
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Philomela cannot speak and uses her hand in place of voice to call the gods
as witnesses to violence done to her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly matches this pattern.
- id: motif:3
label: revenge through killing the offender's child
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Progne chooses Itys because he resembles Tereus and kills him as the means
of revenge.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: This is a passage-level motif without a supplied taxonomy family.
- id: motif:4
label: unwitting cannibal feast of kin
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Tereus unknowingly eats the meal made from his son and asks for Itys before
the deed is revealed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly matches cannibal banquet or kin-consumption.
- id: motif:5
label: violent revelation by body part token
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Philomela reveals the murder by throwing Itys's bloody head in Tereus's face.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage supports the motif literally; broader comparative classification
would require external evidence.
- id: motif:6
label: human transformation into birds after violent conflict
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: The fable summary says Progne becomes a swallow, Philomela a nightingale,
and Tereus a lapwing after the banquet and flight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: This line range only summarizes the metamorphoses; the narrated excerpt
provided does not yet describe the transformation scene in detail.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 10361-10367
quote_or_summary: 'Fable summary: Progne frees Philomela, brings her to Tereus''s
court, Progne and Philomela kill Itys, Progne serves him to Tereus, and the three
main adults are transformed into birds.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 10369-10380
quote_or_summary: At the nocturnal triennial festival of Bacchus, Progne leaves
the house in Bacchic dress with vine leaves, deer skins, and a spear, attended
by followers and pretending divine frenzy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 10382-10389
quote_or_summary: Progne reaches Philomela's lonely dwelling, cries out, breaks
the gates, seizes her, covers her with Bacchic badges and ivy, and leads her home.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 10390-10401
quote_or_summary: Philomela, unable to speak, gestures that violence caused her
disgrace; Progne burns with rage and proposes vengeance by fire, mutilation, or
wounds.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 10402-10418
quote_or_summary: Itys comes to his mother and affectionately embraces her; Progne
notes his resemblance to his father, turns between him and Philomela, and rejects
tenderness.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 10419-10428
quote_or_summary: Progne drags Itys to a remote part of the house and strikes him;
Philomela cuts his throat; they dismember him and cook parts in cauldrons and
on spits.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: quote
locator: lines 10429-10440
quote_or_summary: Progne sets Tereus before the banquet after removing attendants;
Tereus eats unknowingly and asks for Itys. Progne replies, “Thou hast within thee,
that for which thou art asking.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; short quotation used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 10441-10448
quote_or_summary: Philomela appears with hair disordered by the murder and throws
the bloody head of Itys in his father's face, wishing she could speak her deserved
joy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/roman/project-gutenberg/metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are passage-level candidates; some lack direct taxonomy matches. No comparison
claims were made because the passage itself does not support a specific comparative
claim beyond the Ovidian narrative summary.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only supplied passage text and metadata. Taxonomy references were limited to the provided available lists.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:roman-ovid-metamorphoses-books-1-7-riley-gutenberg__l10354-l10448
passage_sha256=e2618304ce966792a0efbf65cea484a5e5aa299879fcfac0395d0e4f6883e536