The Golden Ass by Lucius Apuleius

### **Introduction**

Lucius Apuleius' novel, *The Golden Ass,* shows the synthesis of natureculture when characters contribute to culture by being a part of nature. After a metamorphosis gone wrong through a magic spell, Lucius takes a role in part of nature in a form of a donkey. Natureculture is observed through his journey of Hypata, when Lucius becomes aware of culture and its conditions then begins to see how nature is taken advantage of. Despite being trapped within a donkey’s body, Lucius is aware of his emotions and uses his human intelligence to overcome obstacles. This is implied in Apuleius’s novel while Lucius interacts with his horse soon after being morphed into an animal himself. Nature blends in with culture and gets exploited by humans for their own investments. Moreover, his animal form is degraded by the bandits, receives threats and is beaten by other humans for overstepping boundaries. In the end, Lucius will learn how the power of nature is underestimated when humans act superior to his donkey nature and is himself considered as nothing more than an animal.

### Animal - Animal Interactions in the Novel

Lucius’s first glimpse of his new fate in society is unveiled when he encounters an old pal, his own horse. As he observes his own horse together with another donkey mirroring himself, he thinks that “if dumb beasts have any natural feelings of loyalty, my horse would know me and take pity of my plight, welcoming me to his stable with as much courtesy as if I were a foreign ambassador on a visit to the Imperial Court of Rome.” (72). Even though Lucius is now in a form of an ass, he is still containing feelings. Emotions are highlighted on Lucius’s side which is something that the horse may not feel on the same level. This is supported when the horse decides to “kick him in the face” (72), rejecting him as a friend. Lucius receives the cold shoulder and has now dropped to the bottom of the food chain. In her article “Chained Animals and Human Liberty,*”* Dana Fields mentions that “domestic animals, are defined by the relationships with human beings” and “animals must endure the ruthless law of the jungle.” This further signifies that there is an order in the food chain. Animals that are stronger have advantage over the weaker. Also, the horse not showing any emotions towards Lucius, may be a response to Lucius for the treatment during his previous form as a man. Since Lucius is now an ass, he gets the exposure of the blending between nature and culture.

### **Human - Animal Interactions** **in the Novel**

The nightmare takes a turn for the worse when the vegetable patch owner furiously rushes at Lucius and beats him with his stick. While being caught in the middle of consuming roses that turn out to be poisonous, Lucius is abused “he beat me so hard in revenge for the damage I had done that he might have killed me if I had not had the sense to defend myself by raising my rump and letting out with my hind legs.” (76). The owner acknowledges Lucius as just an animal by showing him who’s in control of the garden. On the verge of adapting to his natural habitat now, bad luck strikes again when the young vegetable owner decides to punish him for crossing boundaries and judge him for being just a hungry animal. After Lucius contemplates committing suicide by the consumption of the poisonous laurel roses, he is punished for trying to accomplish decisions of his own. Ironically, he escapes death but is not left off that easy, he must suffer for a while longer. He is restricted from roaming freely in nature seemingly dominated by part of culture, the young owner. In her article, *“*Slaves and slavery in the Matthean parables*,”* Jennifer A. Glancy says that “the Romans attached symbolic meaning to the whippings, the whip was used for the distinction between free and subject.” The sticks are highlighted when used by the young man in the vegetable patch, the bandits, and the various owners. Sticks are used almost on the same level as the whips the Romans used to beat their slaves to remind them of their position in society. The stick in the novel can serve as a symbol, to show that the one that carries one is standing superior in front of the ones that do not.  Also, the handling of the stick is used to provoke fear in one’s eyes, without having to say a word, losing their speech. Animals including Lucius do not have the ability to speak, therefore are beaten frequently without question. Their intelligence is not categorized as the same as humans and fail to communicate properly. The ability to reason is almost nonexistent, therefore it’s tough for the animals to voice out their thoughts and express emotions.

Furthermore, the endless dreadful journey as an ass resumes with Lucius monitoring one of the many unpleasant conversations discussed between the bandits. Lucius and his big donkey ears overhear the bandit’s plan on killing him because of his earlier failed attempt on making an escape. Anxiety and fear possess Lucius as he thinks, “ The splendid magic which fascinated you so much has given you only the shape of an ass, and an ass’s drudgery, not its thick hide; yours is as delicate as the skin of a horse- leech”(145), and questions himself, “why not be a man in spirit at least and save yourself while you still have a chance.”(145). Time could not be reversed and Lucius’s impulsive curiosity for magic could not be denied. He is an ass now but still retains his sensitivity and the spirit of a man. This is a fallen opportunity for him to use up some of his intelligence and step away from the stereotype of ass, lazy and dumb. For him to think tactfully and make a logical decision to escape or else it could be his last breath. Humans underestimate the intelligence associated with animals. As Ashli J E. Baker discusses in her article, *“*Appearances Can Be Deceiving: Costume and Identity in Apuleius’s Metamorphoses, Florida, and Apology,*”* “identity is perceived as real and essential for themselves and their place within their social communities.” Taking in consideration that a donkey is associated with being passive and not as clever, the bandits are carelessly presenting their layouts openly with Lucius by their side ready to observe. Despite Lucius’s reality that often appears to be doomed, identifying with his man form, and using his emotions with intelligence is the more reasonable option.

### **Metamorphosis and Justice**

As the adventure progresses, Lucius could not help but notice his fellow animals being dragged through the harsh and severe working conditions at the Mill House. Apart from his many extreme moments, Lucius says that “my only consolation was the unique opportunity I had of observing all that was said and done around me; because nobody showed any reserve in my presence,” (203) and adds on to say, “my many adventures in ass-disguise enormously enlarged my experience, even if they have not taught me wisdom” (203). Lucius has always enjoyed hearing and telling stories even before his metamorphosis. Previously, Lucious would observe his other owners and their motives for the benefit for himself. This time around Lucius takes pity of the baker because he is unhappily married with a wife that is involved with various affairs. Lucius’s has evolved during his days as a donkey as part of nature by asserting himself to the circumstances. He recalls the opportunity to be able to observe actions by humans as a good thing. Since he is a donkey, no one around him truly cares to act cautiously with their business. In his article *“*Role-Changing in Apuleuis' Tale of the Miller's Wife*”,* Stavros A. Frangoulidis points out that “inability to comprehend the tragic consequences of his action is also mirrored in his failure as a narrator to understand the events of his tale.” Lucius is is willing to help his master see that his wife is secretly engaging in affair. Forgetting to realize that he is also engaging in causing part of the chaos which leads to the baker’s death. It seems that Lucius has once again contributed to the culture with his role in part of nature with his emotions and intelligence.

### **Conclusion**

To conclude, with time Lucius will revert to humanity when he understands the true meaning of freedom. Through his journey as a donkey, Lucius should learn through the interactions between humans and animals. To regain his identity and speech he needs to be humble, take measures and not just observe. To see the difference between moral and immoral, he must not ignore any signs or warnings. Lucius should make use of his human capabilities when part of nature to overcome any difficulty. Intelligence, emotions, and reasoning could take a human or animal a far way. Actions come with a price that must be paid. Only then Lucius will learn to appreciate nature and its natural resources.

### **References**

Baker, Ashli J. E. "Appearances can be Deceiving: Costume and Identity in Apuleius's Metamorphoses, Florida, and Apology." *Arethusa*, vol. 50, no. 3, 2017, pp. 335-367*.*

Bradley, Keith. "Roman Slavery: Retrospect and Prospect." *Canadian Journal of History*, vol. 43, no. 3, 2008, pp. 477-500*.*

Fields, Dana. "Chained Animals and Human Liberty \*." *The Classical World*, vol. 110, no. 1, 2016, pp. 61-86*.*

Glancy, Jennifer A. "Slaves and Slavery in the Matthean Parables." *Journal of Biblical Literature*, vol. 119, no. 1, 2000, pp. 67-90*.*

Frangoulidis, Stavros A. "ROLE-CHANGING IN APULEIUS' TALE OF THE MILLER'S WIFE (METAMORPHOSES 9.14-31)." *Scholia: Studies in Classical Antiquity*, vol. 9, 2000, pp. 66-77*.*