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The Golden Ass · Chapter

XII explained

Lucius awakens in terror, believing he has committed a triple murder, and is arrested and brought before the judges in a crowded theater, where an old man begins his oration against him.

What happens

Lucius awakens in terror, believing he has committed a triple murder, and is arrested and brought before the judges in a crowded theater, where an old man begins his oration against him.

Themes in this chapter

  • Deception and Appearance

    Lucius is deceived by his own perception of events, believing he has committed murder when the truth is otherwise, and the crowd's laughter hints at a hidden reality.

  • Fortune and Suffering

    Lucius laments his fortune, recalling Diophanes' false prophecy, and suffers the public shame of being paraded as a murderer.

Characters to notice

  • Lucius

    Awakens in despair over the supposed murder, is arrested and led through the city, and stands trial before the judges.

  • Diophanes

    Mentioned by Lucius as having falsely assured him of a prosperous journey.

Key passages

  • “my heart burned sore with remembrance of the murder I had committed the night before”

    Lucius is tormented by the memory of what he thinks he did the previous night.

    Highlights Lucius's guilt and fear.

  • “among so many thousand people there was not one but laughed exceedingly”

    The entire crowd was laughing at Lucius as he was led through the streets.

    Foreshadows the absurdity of the situation.

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