Pyramus and Thisbe: The Wall

The walls in the story are a barrier between the two young lovers, Pyramus and Thisbe. When the wall is first introduced in line 57, a small history is given. "Dictur altam coctilibus muris cinxisse Semiramis urbem." The flaming bricks which Semiramus had built the walls with could serve as a defense to keep people out, but also keeps the lovers stuck in a city which doesn't accept their love. Throughout the story, the wall seems to be the antagonist, where at one point it is called a "invide paries." The use of the personification shows how deep of hatred the lovers have of their separation. However, they're also grateful for the fact that the wall allows them to communicate somehow, without the whole house knowing it. The wall mainly serves as an antagonist though, because it seems to take the side of the rest of city, keeping Pyramus and Thisbe away from each other and not allowing anymore than talking between the two.