A Parasite in a Comic Household
As comic elements can be found in the linguistic texture of the Metamorphoses and in an inserted tale (that of Socrates), it remains to be seen whether or not comic characterization can also be traced in the main narrative, and the protagonist Lucius needs to be looked at in detail. If that is the case, then the concept of the Metamorphoses as a comic novel is strongly enhanced. This chapter shows that when reshaping the Greek novel into the episode of Milo’s house, Apuleius successfully manages to create a comic atmosphere. He must use the given plot of the story as it occurs in its outline, but he manages to embellish it with enough comic language as well as with stock figures and scenes to make his adaptation very Plautine.
Keywords: Lucius, Metamorphoses, comedy, Apuleius, Plautine
Oxford Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
Please, subscribe or login to access full text content.
If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.
To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs , and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us .