The Golden Ass · Chapter
III explained
Socrates recounts to Aristomenus how he was robbed by thieves on his way from Macedonia to Larissa, and then fell into the clutches of the witch Meroe, who seduced him and left him in a miserable state.
What happens
Socrates recounts to Aristomenus how he was robbed by thieves on his way from Macedonia to Larissa, and then fell into the clutches of the witch Meroe, who seduced him and left him in a miserable state. Aristomenus rebukes Socrates for his folly, but Socrates warns him not to speak ill of Meroe, describing her as a powerful magician capable of controlling the heavens and the earth.
Themes in this chapter
Folly and Wisdom
Socrates' foolishness in trusting Meroe is contrasted with Aristomenus' wiser rebuke.
Deception and Appearance
Meroe's flattering tongue and seductive manner conceal her true, dangerous nature.
Magic and Sorcery
Meroe is described as a powerful magician who can control the heavens and the earth.
Characters to notice
- Socrates
Narrates his own misfortune after being robbed and seduced by the witch Meroe.
- Aristomenus
Listens to Socrates' tale and rebukes him for his foolishness.
- Meroe
The witch who seduces Socrates and is described as a powerful magician.
Key passages
“Alas poor miser that I am, that for the only desire to see a game of trial of weapons, am fallen into these miseries and wretched snares of misfortune.”
Socrates laments that his wish to watch a weapons contest led to his current suffering.
Socrates blames his curiosity for his downfall.
“Verily she is a magician, which hath power to rule the heavens, to bring down the sky, to bear up the earth, to turn the waters into hills and the hills into running waters, to lift up the terrestrial spirits into the air, and to pull the gods out of the heavens, to extinguish the planets, and to lighten the deep darkness of hell.”
Socrates describes Meroe as a sorceress with immense power over nature, spirits, and the gods.
This hyperbolic description emphasizes Meroe's feared magical abilities.