Source Analysis: Pan & Syrinx Syrinx was a sought-after wood nymph who had refused all suitors. One day Pan saw her and began to pursue her. Syrinx fled to the river and asked the water nymphs for help, which they gave her by transforming her into reeds. Delighted with the sounds these reeds made when the wind blew over them, Pan collected them, tied them together, making a pipe, and carried them off. The story describes Pan as a happy and carefree god, but he is sad that he could not get the love of any nymph. This can be inferred in Ovid’s version of the story as he pursues Syrinx in the lines "It remained still to tell what he said and to relate how the nymph, spurning his prayers, fled" In the paraphrase, this detail is not evident at all due to brevity. Secondly, the story describes more information as to what exactly Syrinx experience of Pan’s pursuit was like. As she fled, "…Syrinx, more and more frightened by the patter of his hooves, never heeded him…", and as she pleaded for help, "…the goat god overtook Syrinx…". Ovid’s story does not explicitly state these details, but they can also be implied as Pan is described in these ways prior to this story. The same can be said of the description in the stories version of when Syrinx saw Pan, "Syrinx turned, caught one glimpse of the god’s shaggy hair and bright eyes, and the two little horns on his head" . Ovid’s telling of this particular myth does not describe Pan or add any other details of his appearance. It is left out in the paraphrase as well as it is not immediately relevant to the summary of the story. Finally, the story describes in more detail the exchange between Syrinx and her river sisters. It tells of Syrinx praying to the water nymphs for a way to escape. The water nymphs, confused, look up at her through the water, and quickly develop a plan[2]. Ovid simply states that she asked for her sisters at the stream to change her form . One of the most significant omissions from the webpage and the original story itself is the fact that Pan is prone to anger. Ovid does discuss this detail in other sections of Metamorphoses, but this fact gives the reader more understanding as to why Syrinx fled in such a panic. Herodotus tells us that the term panic comes from the goat god Pan, which gives the reader insight into how significant Pan’s bad temper was and the fear he caused in others, especially in Syrinx. The story itself is titled "Story: Pan and Syrinx," indicating it is dedicated to the myth about the goat god Pan and the wood nymph Syrinx. In Ovid’s metamorphoses, it is meant to be read – or told – altogether, which would provide the details such as Pan’s appearance and characteristics, what wood nymphs are, Syrinx’s appearance and characteristics, and all of the context that allows this myth to be told in a succinct way. Of particular importance is Pan’s propensity to anger and instill panic in others. The story does have some background information, but it must draw on these other elements from Ovid’s Metamorphosis and put them directly into the story of Pan and Syrinx to provide the audience with the proper context. In the telling of this relatively short myth, the storybrings in the details from other parts of Metamorphosis to better describe the exchange, Syrinx’s experience, and Pan’s desperation and longing for love. By reading the version in the story, the audience knows Pan is a goat god (with hooves, horns, shaggy hair, and bright eyes) who is sad at the fact he has never known love from a nymph. This helps the audience balance Pan’s character with the description provided in both Metamorphosis and on Syrinx. She is a beautiful wood-nymph as lovely as any other creature, who has been sought after by many suitors but has eluded them all. This paints a picture of two diametrically opposed characters and more easily explains Syrinx’s fright and flight, but also Pan’s obsession with her even in her changed form. Lastly, it may be that the webpage got many details of the story from a different translation. This explains some of the more subtle differences between the two versions of the myth. The story goes into much more detail on who Pan is, explaining that he is the god of the forest, son of Hermes, and a mortal shepherd’s daughter. pan and syrinx myth,pan and syrinx,pan og syrinx,syrinx,pan ancient greek god,pan greek god,pan greek myth,pan the god of the wild,pan greek mythology,syrinx greek mythology,pan flute,pan,carl nielsen,greek mythology stories,mythically mad,greek gods and goddesses,mythical videos,god of the wild,sir simon rattle,see u in history,city of birmingham symphony orchestra,mythology stories,mythology explained,greek god,mythically,greek gods,greek myths