Questions Short on Answers

In accordance to the list of assignments, this is my blog on the first book of The Metamorphoses of Ovid. If any of you have answers to the questions I include on each section of the first book, I'd very much like to read your input.

Prologue: for myself at least, I find Ovid's invocation a real snare to any onlooking muse/god, it is as eloquent as it is humble.

The Creation: I must admire Ovid's wisdom in the obscure god or goddess who creates the world, he avoids upset while staying true to his storytelling.

The Four Ages: Why must the first age always be the most pristine, is there a single instance in which the ages of the world improve with time?

The Giants: Why is it humankind is noted by its creation out of blood, why do the myths depict only the worst of qualities in humans?

Lycaon: It would seem the Gods of old are characterized in part by their almost parasitic relationship with humankind, they scorn the acts of humans, and yet depend upon their worship.

The Flood: Why is it that most cultures, when in need of a myth to wipe out humankind, choose a flood in which to bring destruction?

Deucalion & Pyrrha: I admire the fact that Ovid includes something in favor of humankind, "From this, our race is tough, tenacious, we work hard-proof of our stony ancestry."

Python: What is it about snakes that endears some cultures to them(the Australian aborigines) or causes others to conjure up myths of their wretchedness?

Apollo & Daphne: I would very much like to know why the women so oft pursued by the gods change into trees, what is it about that particular sort of vegetation?

Io & Jove: For an almighty god Jove is perhaps in my estimation one of the worst of deities when it comes to love,what lover would give up his dearest to the form of a cow?

Syrinx: And again we bear witness to another chaste female turned into vegetation, the Greek's vision of love is not something I'd agree with.

Phaethon: Why is the subject of paternity so touchy in The Metamorphoses?

The above picture depicts part of the story of Io and Jove.