The stories of Hermaphroditus and Arachne both begin with a woman at the loom. This is a theme that is repeated throughout the parts of Metamorphoses that i have read. This is keeping with the idea of textiles as feminine art. In the Hermaphroditus myth, it is the narrator who is weaving, while in the Arachne myth, it is the titular character who is famous for her ability. It is interesting to see how the theme resonates differently in each story. Another theme that the two stories have in common is pride. When Hermaphroditus refuses Salmacis, she is too proud to accept his refusal and she basically rapes him; and Pallas' pride causes her to turn Arachne into a spider.
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