← All chapters

The Golden Ass · Chapter

XIV explained

Lucius is put on trial for murder, but when he uncovers the bodies, they are revealed to be three blown bladders, causing great laughter.

What happens

Lucius is put on trial for murder, but when he uncovers the bodies, they are revealed to be three blown bladders, causing great laughter. The judges explain it is a festival in honor of the god Risus, and they offer him honors. Lucius declines a statue, returns to Milo's house, and goes to bed.

Themes in this chapter

  • Deception and Appearance

    The 'murdered bodies' are revealed to be bladders, highlighting the theme of deceptive appearances and the theatrical nature of the trial.

  • Folly and Wisdom

    Lucius's humiliation and the public laughter illustrate folly, while his eventual composure and refusal of statues show a measure of wisdom.

Characters to notice

  • Lucius

    Accused of murder, forced to uncover the bodies, and later comforted by Milo and the magistrates.

  • Milo

    Lucius's host, who leads him away from the theatre and tries to comfort him.

  • Byrrhena

    Lucius's cousin, who invites him to supper but he declines.

Key passages

  • “the bodies of the three slain men were no bodies, but three blown bladders mangled in diverse places”

    The supposed corpses were actually three inflated bladders, cut in various places.

    The central revelation of the chapter, turning tragedy into comedy.

  • “For this day, which we celebrate once a year in honour of the god Risus, is always renowned with some solemn novel”

    This day is an annual festival dedicated to the god Laughter, always marked by some new and solemn joke.

    Explanation of the ritual mock trial.

Read this chapter freeBook page