Summary

There is a transition, as actors come onstage and clear up any water left on the deck after the storm sequence in the previous scene.

A new narrator then appears, introducing the story of Erysichthon, “who scorned the gods and … only looked for the usefulness of things” (33). He orders a tree sacred to the goddess Ceres to be cut down, responding to protests by saying that if the tree were Ceres herself, he would still do what he wants. The goddess becomes angry and sends a messenger to the embodiment of Hunger, telling her to “establish a home in [Erysichthon’s belly” (34) and commenting that she and Hunger can never meet.

The Messenger does as Ceres asks, and Hunger visits Erysichthon in the night, invading his dreams and his life. Erysichthon wakes up hungry and eats everything he can get his hands...