Degree Date

2026

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between humor and horror in Apuleius’ Metamorphoses. By analyzing episodes of supernatural horror over the course of the text, I establish a repeated pattern of confusion between magical and mundane storyworlds in each of these episodes, where the protagonist misunderstands the nature of the storyworld which they occupy. This confusion between storyworlds in the early episodes of the text creates horror for these protagonists, but humor for the audiences of their stories, internal and external alike. However, when Lucius, the text’s narrator, becomes a victim of witchcraft, experiencing this confusion between storyworlds himself, humor begins to disappear from these episodes.

Lucius’ ordeal at the Risus Festival leads to his transformation not only literally, from man to ass, but also in his role within the story, from passive audience member to active participant. This transformation draws Lucius deeper into the text, highlighting his inability to distinguish one storyworld from another, and the dangers that accompany this confusion. As Lucius and other characters in these episodes repeatedly demonstrate, mistaking one storyworld for another can only be humorous for audiences safely outside these storyworlds. As we see in the last episodes of supernatural horror, such mistakes are dangerous and even deadly for their protagonists, and as Lucius finds himself at greater risk, such stories are no longer funny, merely frightening.

By the text’s conclusion, I argue that the ambiguous ending of the Metamorphoses’ final book completes the process of confusion that began with Lucius’ transformation. After repeatedly being tricked into mistaking one storyworld for another, external audience members are forced to admit that they cannot be sure which is real in Book 11. Having lost our own ability to distinguish between storyworlds, the text leaves us with an uneasy amusement. Much as we would like to laugh at Lucius, Apuleius has proven that we can easily fall into the same trap that his protagonist has, unable to determine whether the magical or mundane storyworld is real, and thus leaving ourselves vulnerable to the risks that accompany this confusion.

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