The Metamorphoses Summary:Iphis and Ianthe

Ligdus prayed that his wife would have a painless childbirth, and he wanted her to have a son. Ligdus’ wife, Telethusa did not agree with her husband. Isis came to Telethusa and told her not to worry, she would comfort her. The child was born and it was a girl. Telethusa told Ligdus it was a boy, so he named him Iphis. As Iphis grew up Ligdus wanted him to marry Ianthe, but Iphis knew that she herself was a girl. She still had feelings for Ianthe, because she was raised like a boy. Telethusa prayed to the gods once again. Iphis transformed into a boy, and he and Ianthe were married.

Iphis

Iphis was the daughter of Ligdus and Telethusa. From the day she was born her identity is hidden from the public and her father. Iphis has the the gender and sexuality of a male, but her sex is female. After thirteen years, her father finds Iphis a bride named Ianthe. Iphis and Telethusa pray to the goddess Isis, Isis then changes Iphis into a boy.

Work Cited

Athena, Ailia. "Iphis." Women in Greek Myths. 1 June 2006. HostMySite.com. 27 June 2006. <http://www.paleothea.com/HumansF-M.html>

Questions for Consideration

1. Why is Iphis sex changed opposed to Ianthe?

2. Why didn't anyone notice Iphis was a girl?

3. Why was beastiality more acceptable than homesexuality?

4. Why would a father kill their child just because it was a girl?