Apuleius Metamorphoses V: A Selection

This is the endorsed publication from OCR and Bloomsbury for the Latin A-Level (Group 2) prescription of Apuleius’ Metamorphoses V, giving full Latin text, commentary and vocabulary for sections 11-24. A detailed introduction covers the prescribed text to be read in English, placing the work in its Roman literary context.

Apuleius is considered one of the great Latin stylists. The tale of Cupid and Psyche, a story set within the larger narrative of his novel, the Metamorphoses, follows the romance of the god of love, Cupid, and his mortal lover, Psyche, brought to disaster by the wiles of Psyche’s wicked sisters and the anger of Venus, but eventually reconciled. It is both an adventure story, and an allegory for the relationship between the soul and desire. The OCR selection contains some of the most hauntingly beautiful Latin prose which has come down to us and gives an unparallelled insight into the relationship between philosophy, religion, and art under the high empire.

Resources are available on the Companion Website www.bloomsbury.com/ocr-editions-2019-2021