Apuleius'' Invisible Ass - Encounters With the Unseen in the Metamorphoses

Argues that invisibility is a central motif in Apuleius' Metamorphoses, presenting a new interpretation of this Latin masterpiece.

List of contents

Introduction: uncovering the unseen in Apuleius; 1. Apuleius' daemonic voice; 2. Invisible man: Lucius, Gyges, and the ethics of the Metamorphoses; 3. Invisibility and the structure of reality in cupid and psyche; 4. Scattered limbs and gleaming bones: the symbolism and metaphysics of fragmented bodies in the Metamorphoses; 5. Apprehending the Egyptian Gods: focalization and mysticism in book 11; 6. The power of the Metamorphoses.

About the author

Geoffrey C. Benson is Assistant Professor of the Classics at Colgate University, New York.

Summary

Argues that invisibility is one of the central motifs of Apuleius' Metamorphoses and presents a new interpretation of the novel as a visionary, esoteric text. Enhances our understanding of the subtle relationship between literature and Platonic philosophy and the cultural history of invisibility in classical antiquity and beyond.

Product details

• Authors: Geoffrey C. Benson, Geoffrey C. (Colgate University Benson
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.06.2019
• EAN: 9781108475556
• ISBN: 978-1-108-47555-6
• No. of pages: 308
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Latin, HISTORY / Ancient / General, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval