The Golden Ass · Chapter
XX explained
The thieves recount the story of their comrade Thrasileon, who disguised himself in a bear's skin to infiltrate the house of Demochares.
What happens
The thieves recount the story of their comrade Thrasileon, who disguised himself in a bear's skin to infiltrate the house of Demochares. The plan succeeds initially, but Thrasileon is discovered and killed by dogs and servants. The thieves escape with treasure, lamenting their loss. Lucius, as an ass, feeds on barley and bread.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Thrasileon's disguise as a bear and the forged letters exemplify the theme of deception, where appearances are used to conceal true intentions.
Violence and Cruelty
The brutal killing of Thrasileon by dogs and weapons highlights the violence inherent in the thieves' world and the cruelty of the mob.
Fortune and Suffering
The thieves' loss of their captain and the suffering of Thrasileon, who endures a painful death, reflect the capricious nature of fortune.
Characters to notice
- Thrasileon
A courageous thief who disguises himself as a bear to infiltrate Demochares' house; he is killed by dogs and servants but remains loyal to his comrades.
- Demochares
A wealthy man who receives the disguised bear as a gift from Nicanor; his house is the target of the thieves' plot.
- Lucius
The narrator, currently in the form of an ass, listens to the thieves' tale and feeds on barley and bread.
Key passages
“But verily our good captain Thrasileon, the honour of our comfort, received his death so patiently, that he would not bewray the league between us, either by crying, howling, or any other means, but being torn with dogs and wounded with weapons, did yield forth a doleful cry, more like unto a beast than a man.”
Thrasileon died bravely, refusing to betray his comrades even as dogs and weapons tore him apart, and his final cry sounded more like an animal than a human.
Highlights Thrasileon's loyalty and the dehumanizing nature of his death.
“Thus when they had spoken in memory of their slain companions, they took cups of gold, and sung hymns unto the god Mars, and laid them down to sleep.”
After honoring their fallen friends, the thieves drank from golden cups, sang hymns to Mars, and then went to sleep.
Shows the thieves' ritualistic respect for their dead and their devotion to Mars, the god of war.