# XXXVIII explained — The Golden Ass

> Chapter companion for The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

## What happens

A poor man returns home early to find his wife with her lover. The wife hides the lover under a tub and tricks her husband into cleaning it while she and the lover continue their affair, ultimately selling the tub to the lover for seven pence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

The wife's quick wit and the lover's disguise under the tub exemplify the theme of deceit and the gap between appearance and reality.

### Lust and Sensuality

The wife's lascivious nature and the lover's hidden tryst highlight the theme of carnal desire.

## Character check-ins

### Daphne

Mentioned as a neighbor who enjoys her lovers freely.

## Key lines

> Commest thou home every day with empty hands, and bringest nothing to maintain our house?

Do you come home every day with nothing to support our household?

_The wife scolds her husband for his lack of provision._

> I pray you honest man light a candle, that I may make clean the tub within, to see if it be for my purpose or no

Please, good man, light a candle so I can clean the inside of the tub and see if it suits my needs.

_The lover, hidden under the tub, asks for a candle to inspect it, furthering the deception._

## Links

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