The Golden Ass · Chapter
Book IV explained
Lucius continues his adventures as an ass, witnessing the tragic tale of Charites and Lepolemus, and experiencing further misfortunes at the hands of thieves and cruel masters.
What happens
Lucius continues his adventures as an ass, witnessing the tragic tale of Charites and Lepolemus, and experiencing further misfortunes at the hands of thieves and cruel masters.
Themes in this chapter
Fortune and Suffering
Lucius's continued misfortunes and the tragic deaths of Charites and Lepolemus highlight the capriciousness of fate.
Violence and Cruelty
The brutal treatment of Lucius by thieves and the murderous actions of Thrasillus underscore the cruelty present in the world.
Characters to notice
- Lucius
Narrates his ongoing misadventures as an ass, including being captured by thieves and later sold.
- Charites
A captive maiden rescued by Lucius, whose tragic fate is recounted.
- Lepolemus
Charites' husband, whose death is part of the tragic story.
- Thrasillus
The villain who causes the death of Charites and Lepolemus.
Key passages
“But the thieves, after they had brought me into the den, tied me to a post and began to consult about their return to the mountains.”
The thieves secured Lucius to a post and discussed going back to the mountains.
Illustrates Lucius's captivity and the thieves' plans.
“Then the old woman began to tell the tale of the maiden Charites, how she was stolen away from her wedding and brought to the den.”
The old woman narrated the story of Charites, who was abducted from her wedding and taken to the thieves' den.
Introduces the embedded narrative of Charites.