In ref to Ovid, Met. 1.525-565: "I understand the language of this passage, but how would I answer a commentary/thematic questions on it in the exam?

There is a lot to say about this passage. Thematically, it is interesting in that it exemplifies Ovid's mixing of genres which characterises the Metamorphoses - this is perhaps alluded to in the title, and in the opening of the poem, which talks about 'forms changed'. So in this section, there are clear examples of both Epic and Elegiac genres. In lines 525-540, Ovid gives the poem an epic feel by the fast-paced narrative describing Apollo's pursuit of Daphne. This is achieved by a plethora of indicative active verbs in succession: reliquit, nudabant, vibrabant, dabat, movebant, sequitur, petit. As well as speeding up the narrative, they also express movement, adding kinetic energy to the scene. The simile in 533-39 is characteristic of Epic, and serves the same dramatic purpose. You may also point out how this simile is reminiscent of Homer's description of the chase of Hector by Achilles in the Iliad. The scene then moves into an 'ekphrastic,' that is, heavily descriptive, scene in lines 548-52. You could highlight how the excess of descriptive nouns and adjectives in this section paints a vivid picture of the scene, adding drama, and also how the juxtaposition of natural words with human words, for example, 'ramos bracchia' 'frondem crines' gives a graphic account of this supernatural change, and perhaps emphasises its spontaneity too. Then you could explain how this scene is reminiscent of heavily-descriptive scenes in Virgil, for example, Aeneas' first view of Carthage from the hill (Aen. Bk 1), or his sighting of Creusa's ghost (Aen. Bk 2). In summary, you should say how Ovid uses these techniques from epic to add drama and suspense to the Met. Lines 553 - 7 are reminiscent of Ovid's elegiac works: in this scene, Apollo shares characteristics with the Elegiac lover: unconditionally keen (oscula dat ligno), yet unsuccessful (refugit tamen oscula lignum). You might want to mention how this is reminiscent of various of Ovid's Amores. You could then explain how Ovid's depiction of Apollo as an elegiac lover is comical; you might add that the depiction of a God trying to make love to a tree adds to this comedy. Finally, you should try and connect the two parts, elegiac and epic, and explain how the stark contrast of Apollo as an overwhelming divine force (525-40) with Apollo as an unsuccessful elegiac lover (553-7) adds comedy to the scene, or equally, you could argue that it adds pathos, invoking sympathy for the hopelessness of Apollo and Daphne respectively. In any case, you should explain that such a transition exemplifies the Metamorphoses. You could then conclude by asserting that Ovid's versatility of genre allows him to enrich the Met. as a multi-faceted work, adding drama, pathos or comedy. It was this versatility in the Metamorphoses which distinguished the work, and effected Ovid's unique brand of Epic.