Lucius Apuleius’ novel, The Metamorphoses, or more widely referred to as “The Golden Ass (Donkey)” is the only Latin writing of its type to endure the passing of time, surviving in a complete form. It is a somewhat funny story with clear satirical roots embedded in its context, presenting people’s flaws, weaknesses and traits of character in a novel which is both entertaining and profound.Not only did Apuleius of Madura had created an exceptional piece of literature, but he also contributed to enriching and influencing the writing styles of writers who were to be born centuries later.
The story follows the series of events that Lucius, the protagonist, has to endure in order for the magic which had turned him into a donkey to be reversed. Lucius, a man having noble roots embarks on a quest to satisfy his appetite for knowledge, especially concerning the practice of magic. The novel starts with a framed story, in which a traveler (companion of him) narrates a surreal and frightening story about the events that led to the death of a friend. However, Lucius is not discouraged by the man, but is rather fueled with a greater desire in finding out what’s it all about. Thus, he ends up as being the guest of Milo. From this point on, the action really speeds up, leaving the reader with virtually no time to thoroughly digest the facts.
As the story progresses, we learn about many happenings, encounters, near death situations in which Lucius is involved, with or without his will. Also, we are presented with a number of stories and legends which have a certain dose of reality infused into them. The most important of them is the story of Amor (Cupid) and Psyche, a story narrated by an old woman while standing in a cave and trying to calm down a young girl who was kidnapped from her future husband. It is a story of love and will in which, eventually the good, pictured as a mortal, Psyche, defeats the evil forces, represented by the goddess Venus, in a classic series of tests, key elements, such as donor characters, magical creatures which come to aid her, surreal situations, doubts about her chances of success and even attempts of suicide, dismissed by the forces of the surrounding nature. Thus, our attention is shortly distracted from the main tale, in which the donkey has to pass similar, more down to earth tries. I won’t tell you how the novel ends, because I would ruin it…although the situation is quite predictable at the end.
All in all, this novel deserves all the credits for being a well thought writing in which both reality and imagination weave a unique story of knowledge, despair, hope and faith, in which our imagination is swept away and grabbed by interesting adventures and nevertheless, in which satire finds such a good refuge. |
