The Myth of Arachne
In the first line of the poem Pulter mentions Arachne or the spider. The spider’s link with the traditionally feminine arts of sewing and weaving makes it an interesting image of female creativity, though the myth, as retold in a contemporary natural history, makes it a story about the dangers of female pride.
The Poets fayne that the Spyder called Arachne, was in times past a mayden of Lydia, who beeing instructed of Minerua in the cunning skill of Embroiderie and spynning, grew therein so excellent, and tooke such a pride in the same, (for you must remember she was a woman) that shee stifly denied, facing it out in brauing-wise, that Minerua was neuer the Instructer, and so arrogant presumpteous shee was, as that she feared not to challenge her Mistresse-Goddesse to worke with her, if shee durst for her eares enter the lyst, in all manner of Embroidery, Tapestry-workes, and the like.
At which, Mistres Minerua beeing netled, and taking the matter in dudgeon thus to be prouoked, and withall reprehending the mayde very sharply for her sauciness, in a pelting chase she brake all to peeces the wenches imagery worke, that was so curiously wouen, & so full of varietie, with her shittle [i.e., shuttle, an instrument used in weaving]. The Mayde heereat beeing sore greeued, halfe in despayre not knowing what to doe, yeelding to passion, would needes hang herselfe. But Minerua taking compassion vppon her, would not haue her die forth-with, but transformed her into a Spyder, hanging by a fine small thred or line.