Apuleius Books 9-11 Study Questions

Be prepared to identify: Dea Syria, Philesitherus, Barbarus, Arete, Thiasus, Madaura, Isis, Osiris, Candidus

Book 9

1. What is the common theme of many of the stories in this book?

2. What is the significance of the 'tale of the tub'?

3. What advantage does Lucius have during his service in the mill?

4. What is the function of the oracle on p. 151?

5. What is unique about the tale of Philesitherus, Barbarus and Arete in the adultery stories in this book?

6. What motifs of the novel are repeated in the story of the three noble brothers?

Book 10

1. Where have we seen tales of wicked stepmothers before? To what genre do they belong?

2. What does Lucius especially enjoy about serving his next owners?

3. What is the response to the discovery that Lucius has been feasting on human food?

4. What new career results from Lucius' appetite?

5. What are we to make of the love affair between Lucius and the rich woman?

6. What sort of spectacle is Lucius to participate in and with whom?

7. How does Lucius respond to the show about the judgement of Paris?

8. What danger does Lucius especially fear as the moment approaches for his own performance?

Book 11

1. What inspires Lucius to make an appeal to the goddess?

2. In what form have we met each of the goddesses he names in his prayer?

3. What promises does Isis make and what does she ask in return?

4. How is Lucius turned into a man again?

5. How do Lucius' friends and family react to the news?

6. How can we reconcile the presentation of the great goddess with the behaviour of Venus in the story of Cupid and Psyche?

7. What must Lucius do in order to be initiated?

8. What is his experience of initiation? To what can it be compared?

9. How can we reconcile the tone of Book 11 with the earlier books?

10. Why is there need for a second and third initiation in Rome? Why are they delayed?

11. How can we explain the reference on p. 212 to "the man from Madaura"?

12. How does reading Book 11 alter our interpretation of the previous books?

13. Some readers think that Lucius is just a foolish dupe of an opportunistic cult. Do you agree?