Student Question
Why did Athena turn Arachne into a spider?
Quick answer:
Athena turned Arachne into a spider due to jealousy and pride. Arachne, a skilled weaver, challenged Athena, leading to a contest. Despite Arachne's superior work, Athena was declared the winner. Humiliated, Arachne hanged herself, but Athena took pity and transformed her into a spider, allowing her to continue weaving. This myth explains why spiders spin webs, reflecting Arachne's enduring talent.
Athena, goddess of the crafts, was jealous because Arachne, a poor peasant girl, challenged her in her skill at weaving. In her pride, Athena could not bear the thought of being outdone by one of her own disciples, and a mortal at that. Finally, a tapestry-weaving contest was declared to decide who actually was the better of the two. Although Arachne's work was evidently superior, Athena officially "won."
Humiliated by her staged defeat, Arachne killed herself by hanging. Athena then took pity upon her rival and brought her back to life, transforming her into a spider.(Other versions say Athena's sister Hebe did this for Arachne instead.) And thus Arachne spins to this very day.
Check out the references below for more information, along with some interesting graphics.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.