# XXXII explained — The Golden Ass

> Chapter companion for The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

## What happens

A young man from Charites' household arrives at midnight to recount the tragic deaths of Lepolemus and Charites. He tells how Thrasillus, a rejected suitor, feigned friendship and murdered Lepolemus during a boar hunt. Charites, after a prophetic vision from her husband, feigned consent to marry Thrasillus, then drugged him, blinded him with a needle, and stabbed herself at Lepolemus' tomb. Thrasillus later sealed himself in the tomb to starve to death. The servants, fearing new masters, prepare to flee.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Cruelty

The chapter depicts murder, blinding, and suicide, highlighting the brutal consequences of lust and betrayal.

### Deception and Appearance

Thrasillus feigns friendship while plotting murder; Charites pretends to accept his suit in order to exact revenge.

### Fortune and Suffering

Charites' fortune turns from rescue to tragedy, and Thrasillus' lust leads to his own ruin.

## Character check-ins

### Charites

The young woman who, after being rescued from thieves, avenges her husband Lepolemus by blinding Thrasillus and then committing suicide at her husband's tomb.

### Lepolemus

Charites' husband, murdered by Thrasillus during a boar hunt; his ghost appears to Charites to reveal the truth.

### Thrasillus

A rejected suitor who murders Lepolemus and later is blinded by Charites before sealing himself in the tomb to die.

### Lucius

The ass who was present with Charites among the thieves; the young man's tale is told in his hearing.

## Key lines

> Oh ye housekeepers, shepherds and cowherds, you shall understand that we have lost our good mistress Charites miserably and by evil adventure

The young man announces to the servants that their mistress Charites has died tragically.

_Opening of the tale, setting the tone of lament._

> Behold the faithful companion of my husband, behold this valiant hunter; behold me dear spouse, this is the hand which shed my blood

Charites addresses the sleeping Thrasillus, accusing him of murdering her husband.

_Charites' speech before blinding Thrasillus._

> I pray you my friends weep not, nor lament for me, for I have revenged the death of my husband

Charites tells the onlookers not to mourn her, as she has avenged Lepolemus.

_Charites' final words before her suicide._

## Links

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