Strictly speaking, the golden ass isnt the books proper name. The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of cupid and psyche. The hero, lucius, eager to experience the sensations of a bird, resorts to. Apuleius metamorphoses or golden ass written in a highly ornate and archaizing latin probably in the 160s or so, apuleius prose novel, the metamorphoses known to saint augustine as the golden ass, tells the story of lucius, a romannamed greek youth of means and prominent family. This edition, the first with a full commentary in english to appear. The golden ass study guide contains a biography of apuleius, literature essays, quiz. Please note that, in spite of my updating, this is still an old translation. Books 1 6 loeb classical library 9780674990494 by apuleius and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. He was a poet, philosopher, and rhetorician from whom numerous works survive some of doubtful authenticity. The metamorphoses the golden ass of apuleius born c. The thing is, just because the metamorphoses doesnt have a recognizable storyline doesnt mean it isnt jampacked with mythological goodies. The metamorphoses of apuleius, which augustine of hippo referred to as the golden ass asinus aureus, is the only ancient roman novel in latin to survive in its entirety the protagonist of the novel is called lucius. The apologia and florida of apuleius of madaura oxford.
A detailed introduction covers the prescribed text to be read in english, placing the work in its roman literary context. Or metamorphoses adlington s translation, 1566 by lucius apuleius is a classic work of literature that can be enjoyed by all. Time and place demand a description of the robbers cave, and its surrounds, a test of my skill and a chance to see whether i was merely the ass i seemed, in mind and perception. Jan 07, 2014 metamorphosis or the golden ass by lucius apuleius c. She is also punished when her curiosity leads her to look into proserpinas box see book 6. A new complete downloadable english translation of the roman novel. It was of great benefit to read books 1 6 of apuleius in the magnificent translation of j. His curiosity about magic gets him changed into a donkey. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the golden ass. In the metamorphoses of apuleius, also known as the golden ass, we have the only latin novel which survives entire. Apuleius s golden ass is a unique, entertaining, and thoroughly readable latin novelthe only work of fiction in latin to have survived from antiquity. Book 6 focuses extensively, although not exclusively, on the role of art.
The golden asse, or the metamorphoses by apuleius holds a unique place in world literature as the only complete latin novel to survive from antiquity. His most celebrated work is the metamorphoses, a poem in 15 books recounting stories from greek and roman myth. Metamorphoses the golden ass, vol 2, books 711 book. The passages include the preface, photis cooking but not her hair in book 2, the bodies in the theater at the festival of laughter in book 3, the metamorphosis in book 3, scenes from cupid and psyche the revelation of cupid in book 5, the descent to and return from the underworld and the wedding banquet in book 6, the slaves and the asses. An online book about this author is available, as is a wikipedia article apuleius. This book is the 751st greatest fiction book of all time as determined by. In all probability apuleius used material from a lost metamorphoses by lucius of patrae, which is cited by some as the source for an extant greek work on a similar theme, the brief lucius, or the.
From the cruel mockery of the festival of laughter to the sweet tale of cupid and psyche, from adventures that question humananimal boundaries to the profoundly spiritual conclusion. It is both a charming fairytale and an allegory of the search of the soul for happiness and fulfillment. Florida, for which new translations and commentaries are now likewise available, while on. The goal of this paper is to discuss the concept of initiation ritual in relation to apuleius. It tells the story of the hero lucius, whose curiosity and fascination for sex and magic results in his transformation into an ass. The golden ass kindle edition by apuleius, ruden, sarah. Disguised as an old woman, minerva advises arachne to ask minerva for forgiveness. Cupid and psyche cambridge greek and latin classics imperial library. Psyche, pleasantly reclining in that grassy place on a bed of dewwet grass, free of her mental perturbation, fell peacefully asleep, and when she was sufficiently refreshed by slumber, rose, feeling calm. Art plays many roles in metamorphoses, many of which are on display in book 6. Apuleius enchanting story has inspired generations of writers such as boccaccio, shakespeare, cervantes and keats with its dazzling combination of allegory, satire, bawdiness and sheer exuberance, and the golden ass remains the most continuously and accessibly amusing book to have survived from classical antiquity. Thomas taylor published an influential translation of cupid and psyche in 1795, several years before his complete metamorphoses.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Full text of apuleius the golden ass penguin classics. He was a numidian berber and lived under the roman empire. Top american libraries canadian libraries universal library community texts project gutenberg biodiversity heritage library childrens library. Apuleius intentionally places the descent to the underworld in book 6 like. Via new window links at the start of each book, you may now browse klines rendering alongside ehwalds latin edition ca. The golden ass metamorphosis or the golden ass by lucius.
The plot revolves around the protagonists curiosity curiositas and insatiable. Schlam also notes that the tale of cupid and psyche recapitulates luciuss career and. Occasionally i have added to the translation where adlington has omitted certain passages. The mellon foundation provided support for entering this text. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.
A new english translation of the transformations of lucius apuleius, and the rites of isis. The more successful ones were highly paid, achieved fame well beyond their native cities, and attracted large numbers of followers. Read less than it deserves at the undergraduate level, apuleius metamorphoses tells the story of lucius the assman and his encounters with sex, magic, robbers, storytellers, slaves, and finally the goddess. Other writers wrote more elegant verse and certainly nobler stories, but i get the sense that apuleius loves the language he is playing with, and he isnt afraid to make his main character a fool. Apuleius, the golden ass based upon a translation by william adlington 1566 i have updated the spelling and idiom of the text, and have added chapter numbers. Madaurus was the same colonia where augustine of hippo later received part of his early education, and, though located well away from the romanized coast, is today the site of some pristine roman ruins.
Apuleius was born in madauros, a colonia in numidia on the north african coast bordering gaetulia, and he described himself as halfnumidian halfgaetulian. Initiations and mysteries in apuleius metamorphoses. More specifically, i have been weighing sarah rudens 2011 translation of the golden ass of apuleius against the one i grew up with and have been sitting on all my life, robert gravess 1951 version. The golden ass books 45 summary and analysis gradesaver. Book 1 exhibits the spontaneity and ebullience of apuleius latin as well as his ability to engage the reader with a lively story. In terms of structure, it is important that the tale of cupid and psyche is in the center of the novel. Psyche traveled long distances, mourning and looking for her husband. The transformations of lucius apuleius, and the rites of isis. Minerva approaches arachne, her rival in the art of weaving.
The mountain was rugged, shaded by leafy forests, and very high. This is the endorsed publication from ocr and bloomsbury for the latin alevel group 2 prescription of apuleius metamorphoses v, giving full latin text, commentary and vocabulary for sections 1124. Over the course of eleven books, apuleius recounts the strange adventures of a young man named lucius. An xml version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer perseus any modifications you make. Id like to string together various tales in the milesian style, and charm your kindly ear with seductive murmurs, so long as youre ready to be amazed at human forms and fortunes changed radically and then restored in turn in mutual exchange, and dont object to reading egyptian papyri, inscribed by a sly reed from the nile. Before this tale, lucius hears warnings about curiosity and magic but ignores them, which eventually culminate in his turning into an ass. At the end of the novel, he is revealed to be from madaurus, the hometown of apuleius himself. Of course, each of the myths ovid tells has its own story, but, since there are over 200 of them, we cant really touch on them. Psyche, aeneas, and an ass, apuleius metamorphoses 6.
Apuleius has 116 books on goodreads with 30773 ratings. The golden ass books 67 summary and analysis gradesaver. The apology latin and english, with commentary, trans. Penguin classics kindle edition by ovid, denis feeney, david raeburn. Ovid was a latin poet who flourished in rome in the late c1st b. In this book, art demonstrates ingenuity and ambition. For a practicing neoplatonist, or a kin to ancient folk by heart and spirit this books conveys many trophies with plots that could easily be turned into stanzas of quotable wisdomliterature. Summary of the metamorphoses the spectacles of apuleius. Full text of apuleius the golden ass penguin classics see other formats.
Metamorphoses the golden ass, volume i apuleius, j. The golden ass, prose narrative of the 2nd century ce by lucius apuleius, who called it metamorphoses. But how can we be full of the book that has no plot. Metamorphoses the golden ass, vol 2, books 711 by apuleius. From books iv to vi of the golden ass, by lucius apuleius 2nd cent.
His initiation is similar to that of psyches journey into the underworld, which is detailed in book 6. The bulk of the novel recounts his adventures as an animal, but lucius also recounts many stories he overhears, including that of cupid and psyche. The transformations of lucius, otherwise known as, the golden ass by apuleius book 125 editions published between 1500 and 2018 in 6 languages and held by 1,483 worldcat member libraries worldwide. Each book is arranged in paragraphs, with each paragraph headed by the corresponding line reference in the latin text.
The golden ass, being the metamorphoses of lucius apuleius. Latin text, with facing translation, substantial introduction and. To which are added, a metrical version of cupid and psyche, and mrs. The works of apuleius, comprising the metamorphoses, or golden ass, the god of socrates, the florida, and his defence, or a discourse on magic. Apuleius madaurensis metamorphoses, book iv, 127 1977, boumas boekhius in latin libraries near you. This book presents a thorough reexamination of apuleius platonic philosophy, encompassing both his philosophical and literary works. A commentary on book iii amsterdam 1971, 64f, notes that the speech is structured according to the norms of forensic rhetoric but has little to say about the humour thereby generated. Metamorphoses the golden ass, volume ii, books 711 loeb classical library no. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of metamorphoses and what it means.
Initiations and mysteries in apuleius metamorphoses sarolta a. The story of cupid and psyche is part of the golden ass or metamorphoses, a latin novel by apuleius second century a. I love his play with words, and he is a very vivid, immediate dramatist. Apuleius madaurensis metamorphoses, books vi 2532 and vii. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. Or metamorphoses adlington s translation, 1566 and enjoy another quality publication. Ovid, metamorphoses 1 theoi classical texts library. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading metamorphoses. The golden ass study guide contains a biography of apuleius, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. This page contains details about the fiction book the golden ass metamorphoses.
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