# XXIX explained — The Golden Ass

> Chapter companion for The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

## What happens

The boy accuses Lucius the ass of lechery and violent behavior towards women, leading the shepherds to debate whether to kill or geld him. Lucius, understanding their speech, is horrified at the prospect of castration and contemplates suicide.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

The boy's false accusations and the shepherds' readiness to believe them highlight the theme of deception and misleading appearances.

### Violence and Cruelty

The threat of killing or gelding Lucius underscores the cruelty and violence inherent in the treatment of animals and slaves.

## Character check-ins

### Lucius

Lucius, in the form of an ass, is falsely accused of lechery by the boy and faces the threat of castration.

## Key lines

> Do you not see this slow and dull ass, who besides all the mischiefs that he hath wrought already, inventeth daily more and more. For he espyeth any woman passing by the way, whether she be old or married, or if it be a young child, he will throw his burden from his back, and runneth fiercely upon them.

The boy claims the ass is a constant troublemaker who attacks any woman he sees, regardless of age or status.

_The boy's exaggerated accusations are designed to provoke the shepherds against Lucius._

> Why do we not make sacrifice of this common adulterous ass? My son (quoth he) let us kill him and throw his guts to the dogs, and reserve his flesh for the labourers supper.

One shepherd suggests killing the ass and using its meat for the workers' meal.

_The casual suggestion of killing the ass reflects the low value placed on animal life._

> Verily it is a great offence to kill so fair an ass, and so (by accusation of luxury and lascivious wantonness) to lack so necessary his labour and service, where otherwise if ye would cut off his stones, he might not only be deprived of his courage but also become gentle.

Another shepherd argues that killing the ass would waste a useful animal, and instead suggests gelding it to make it tame.

_The shepherd's pragmatic advice spares Lucius from death but threatens him with castration._

## Links

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