# XX: Two Curious Houses explained — Marius the Epicurean

> Chapter companion for Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater.

## What happens

Marius attends a supper in Tusculum honoring Apuleius, hosted by a poet. The evening blends Roman elegance, literary discourse, and philosophical reflection. Apuleius discusses Platonic Idealism, asserting that material things are 'full of souls.' Marius remains skeptical, clinging to empirical reality while acknowledging the allure of such theories.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Role of Art and Literature in Shaping Experience

The supper features literary recitals and Apuleius's discourse, highlighting how art and literature mediate perception of reality.

### Epicurean Philosophy and the Pursuit of Pleasure

Marius's skeptical empiricism and his resistance to idealist fantasies reflect an Epicurean-like reliance on sensory experience.

### The Transition from Paganism to Christianity

The chapter explores pagan philosophical and mystical ideas (Platonic Idealism, animism) against Marius's yearning for transcendence in a 'hard world.'

## Character check-ins

### Marius

Guest at the supper; reflects on his changed perspective and skepticism toward Platonic Idealism.

### Apuleius

Honored guest; delivers a discourse on Platonic Idealism, blending philosophy with personal affectation.

### Ceyx

Mentioned in the recital of the myth of Ceyx and Alcyone.

### Plato

Referenced as the source of the Idealism espoused by Apuleius.

### Socrates

Mentioned as Plato's old master, a two-sided figure.

## Key lines

> It was as if he viewed it through a diminishing glass.

The world seemed less significant and more distant to Marius after his transformative experience.

_Describes Marius's altered perception of reality._

> Were not all visible objects—the whole material world indeed, according to the consistent testimony of philosophy in many forms—'full of souls'?

Apuleius argues that all material things are animated by souls, as philosophy suggests.

_Central to Apuleius's Platonic discourse._

> For himself, it was clear, he must still hold by what his eyes really saw.

Marius resolves to trust only his empirical observations.

_Highlights Marius's skeptical stance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-iv-xx-two-curious-houses
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters