Man and Animal

Abstract

In this chapter I shall attempt to illuminate the concept of humans acting as animals and vice versa by focusing on two distinct tales: (1) the tale of the robber Thrasyleon (4.14–21); and (2) the ass’ performance as a human in the possession of Thiasos (10.16–35). Thrasyleon plays the bear even outside the space formally designed for his performance and, ultimately, dies as a beast. By contrast, the ass refuses to perform his act of sex in public, because he fears that the wild beasts in the arena will be let lose and will devour him along with his partner, the mass murderess. Hence, the ass secretly runs away from the theater and ultimately saves his life. This action becomes a prerequisite for his ensuing salvation by Isis later in Book 11.