# XII explained — The Golden Ass

> Chapter companion for The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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