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. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. Section 1 79k section 2 72k section 3 75k section 4 77k download. This edition, the first with a full commentary in english to appear. An annotated edition of book 1 of apuleius novel metamorphoses, this text is suitable for a students first unadapted author, or in combination with other readings at the intermediate level. Apuleius th e golden ass apuleius th e golden ass, also known as metamorphoses, the larger narrative in which the story of cuptid and psyche is embedded, is an adaptation of a lost greek text with the title 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 strictly speaking, the golden ass isnt the books proper name. Books of transformations is a latin narrative poem by the roman poet ovid, considered his magnum opus. Strictly speaking, the golden ass isnt the books proper name. 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. The golden ass study guide contains a biography of apuleius, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. It was of great benefit to read books 1 6 of apuleius in the magnificent translation of j.
Apuleius intentionally places the descent to the underworld in book 6 like. Psyche, aeneas, and an ass, apuleius metamorphoses 6. Apuleius metamorphoses book 3 hackett publishing company. Rdg ovid metamorphoses 14 38798 downloads this is a literal wordforword translation of ovids metamorphoses books from the key to the classics series by rev. His two other myththemed works were the fasti and the heroides. This book is the 751st greatest fiction book of all time as determined by.
Ovid, metamorphoses 1 theoi classical texts library. Summary of the metamorphoses the spectacles of apuleius. Apuleius is considered one of the great latin stylists. From books iv to vi of the golden ass, by lucius apuleius 2nd cent. Metamorphoses the golden ass, volume i apuleius, j. Book 1 exhibits the spontaneity and ebullience of apuleius latin as well as his ability to engage the reader with a lively story. 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. Bryn mawr commentaries provide clear, concise, accurate, and consistent support for students making the transition from introductory and intermediate texts to the direct experience of ancient greek and latin literature. The metamorphoses the golden ass of apuleius born c. He studied platonism in athens, travelled to italy, asia minor, and egypt, and was an initiate in several cults. Please note that, in spite of my updating, this is still an old translation. The mountain was rugged, shaded by leafy forests, and very high. This page contains details about the fiction book the golden ass metamorphoses. The golden ass books 45 summary and analysis gradesaver.
Liverpool university press is the uks third oldest university press, with a distinguished history of publishing exceptional research since 1899 apuleius metamorphoses or the golden ass, our only complete latin novel, tells the story of lucius, a young man turned into a donkey by magic because of his unfettered curiosity. 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. 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. Juno too had to refuse her psyche then decided the only course left was to be humble and.
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. See a complete list of the characters in metamorphoses and indepth analyses of jupiter, juno, orpheus, apollo, and the narrator. 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. 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. A new complete downloadable english translation of the roman novel.
Book iv the robbers, the tale of cupid and psyche book v the tale of cupid and psyche book vi the tale of cupid and psyche book vii hard times book viii the tale of thrasyllus and charite, the eunuchs book ix the mill, the tale of arete and philesitherus. Ciconian matrons, with their raving breasts concealed in skins of forest animals, from the summit of a hill observed him there, attuning love songs to a sounding. There was once a certain king, inhabiting in the west parts, who had to wife a noble dame by whom he had three daughters, exceeding fair of whom the two elder were of such. Apuleius the metamorphoses book 1 annotated edition by james s. 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.
The internet classics archive the defense by apuleius. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. He was a numidian who lived under the roman empire and was from madauros now mdaourouch, algeria. 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. But 1 i would like to tie together different sorts of tales for you in that milesian style of yours, 2 and to caress your ears into approval with a pretty whisper, if only you will not begrudge looking at egyptian papyrus inscribed with the sharpness of a reed from the nile, 3 so that you may be amazed at mens. The defense has been divided into the following sections. But my curiosity was aroused, and as soon as i heard the word magic instead of being cautious of pamphile i longed to embark, willingly and of my own accord, on an apprenticeship in such matters, whatever the cost, and go leaping headlong into the deepest pit. I love his play with words, and he is a very vivid, immediate dramatist.
She encountered ceres and asked for help, but that goddess would not risk incurring the wrath of venus. The golden ass metamorphosis or the golden ass by lucius. The mellon foundation provided support for entering this text. 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. Lucius wants the sensations of a bird, but by pharmaceutical accident becomes an ass. Ovid, metamorphoses 11 theoi classical texts library.
Each book is arranged in paragraphs, with each paragraph headed by the corresponding line reference in the latin text. A detailed introduction covers the prescribed text to be read in english, placing the work in its. His vocabulary and notes offer even a high school latin student the ability to read apuleius in the original without hesitation or apprehension. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of metamorphoses and what it means. But 1 i would like to tie together different sorts of tales for you in that milesian style of yours, 2 and to caress your ears into approval with a pretty whisper, if only you will not begrudge looking at egyptian papyrus inscribed with the sharpness of a reed from the nile, 3 so that you may be amazed at mens forms and fortunes. The love story of cupid and psyche, from the roman novel metamorphoses by lucius apuleius. Ovid was a latin poet who flourished in rome in the late c1st b.
Metamorphoses book 1 can be used in combination with other readings and provides latin text, notes and vocabulary perfect for undergraduates products were bought by others vergils aeneid. Comprising 11,995 lines, 15 books and over 250 myths, the poem chronicles the history of the world from its creation to the deification of julius caesar within a loose mythicohistorical framework. His curiosity about magic gets him changed into a donkey. His most famous work is the golden ass, from which the story of cupid and psyche is taken. Metamorphoses is a latin narrative poem by ovid that was first published in 8 ad. She then came to juno, and asked her, as protectors of pregnant women, for help.
An xml version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer perseus any modifications you make. Metamorphoses the golden ass, vol 2, books 711 by apuleius. Fiction, classical mythology, metamorphosis, latin fiction, translations into english, translations into italian, translations into spanish, translations into french, isis egyptian deity, metamorphosis in literature, latin literature, translations into russian, mythology, classical, in literature, translations into. 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. A detailed introduction covers the prescribed text to be read in english, placing the work in its roman literary context. 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. Book ii photis, thelyphrons tale book iii on trial, lucius transformed. Metamorphoses book 11, translated by brookes more death of orpheus 1 while with his songs, orpheus, the bard of thrace, allured the trees, the savage animals, and even the insensate rocks, to follow him. Metamorphoses of apuleius, says of his physical appearance. The golden ass books 67 summary and analysis gradesaver. An interlinear translation might be useful, but on the other hand might detract from the educational value of the text, as the eyes would tend to preempt the memory. It is both a charming fairytale and an allegory of the search of the soul for happiness and fulfillment. The metamorphoses of apuleius, which augustine of hippo referred to as the golden ass. Latin text, with facing translation, substantial introduction and.
In fact, there are now quite a few commentaries on apuleius metamorphoses designed for college students, including an earlier commentary on book 1. Occasionally i have added to the translation where adlington has omitted certain passages. The golden ass study guide contains a biography of apuleius, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary. Metamorphosis or the golden ass by lucius apuleius c. It was of great benefit to read books 16 of apuleius in the magnificent translation of j. The way the book is currently designed, in other words, i now see is quite reasonable. In the metamorphoses of apuleius, also known as the golden ass, we have the only latin novel which survives entire. In the mean season psyche hurled herself hither and thither, to seek for her husband, the rather because she thought that if he would not be appeased with the sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would take mercy upon her at her servile and continual prayers. Some of the stories are as indecent as they are witty, and two in the ninth book were deemed by boccaccio worthy of inclusion in the decameron. While challenging the current scholarly trend that overrates the philosophical presence in the metamorphoses, this book suggests new outlooks, as well as providing a new perspective on many hypotheses previously considered as a given. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system.
In terms of structure, it is important that the tale of cupid and psyche is in. The title of the book apuleius and the metamorphoses of platonism. 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. The hero, lucius, eager to experience the sensations of a bird, resorts to. 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.
In a surprising denouement, he is restored to human shape and, now spiritually regenerated, is initiated into her. Apuleius the metamorphoses book 1 annotated edition. The most pleasant and delectable tale of the marriage of cupid and psyche. Ciconian matrons, with their raving breasts concealed in skins of forest animals, from the summit of a hill observed him there, attuning love songs to a sounding harp. This surviving greek text appears to be an abridgement or epitome of lucius of patraes text. His most celebrated work is the metamorphoses, a poem in 15 books recounting stories from greek and roman myth.
He himself was of an high and comely stature, greyeyed, his hair yellow, and a beautiful personage. The transformations of lucius apuleius, and the rites of isis. Apuleius was born in madauros, a colonia in numidia on the north african coast bordering gaetulia, and he described himself as halfnumidian halfgaetulian. The golden ass, being the metamorphoses of lucius apuleius. The story of cupid and psyche is part of the golden ass or metamorphoses, a latin novel by apuleius second century a. Ruebel has created a most useful edition of metamorphoses book i. 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. James ruebel, apuleius, the metamorphoses book 1, bolchazycarducci 2000 isbn 9780865164840, 2011 reprint of 2000 with corrections. Metamorphoses i apuleius of madauros metamorphoses book i 1.
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