Transformations of mortals have an entirely different significance from those of the immortals: as most mortals in Greek mythology do not possess their own powers of shape shifting, their new forms tend to carry with them some sort of blessing or punishment. The different shapes that the gods transform mortals into always symbolize a vice or virtue of the mortals’ lives. The good, righteous, god-fearing mortals, such as Baucis and Philemon, are rewarded for their piety with beneficial transformations; in this case, the two elderly lovers were transformed after death into intertwined oak and linden trees to reflect their everlasting love and faith (Ovid VIII). This upright respect for the gods is an important Greek value, and the couple’s everlasting reward serves to enforce that value’s significance. Similarly, many mythical Greek heroes, including Orion, Heracles, and Chiron, are transformed upon death into constellations and hung up in the heavens for the world to remember eternally. Each hero earns his place in the heavens with a great sacrifice; after exhibiting great courage and perseverance, both of which the Greeks valued highly, the heroes are deemed worthy of the highest honor in hanging their likeness in the night sky. Rewarding transformations are bestowed upon those deserving of them, and in each case, the reward matches a quality that the mortal possesses.

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