The Golden Ass

April 21,2003
Class 1010
Gladhill

Morality in The Golden Ass

The morality we encounter in The Golden Ass is not just, pure, righteous, or religious. The community is not safe from robbers, thieves, or murders, and neither are the people free from fear. In the first book, Aristomenes tells a story about his friend Socrates and himself, during which a witch tears out his heart. When he attempts to run away, the innkeeper will not let him leave in case he killed his friend. This society is so corrupt that its citizens cannot trust anyone, they suspect every one of heinous crimes. The society in which this book is set is full of witches, who are free to ensnare, seduce, and kill anyone they please. These women turn their enemies into animals, entrap married men, and generally do as they please. The religious people encountered in this book are hollow. The Eunuchs are fakes, and they travel around performing “rituals.” In actuality, these rituals are fabricated, and the...