# Book IV explained — The Golden Ass

> Chapter companion for The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters