In Spite of Isis. Wordplay in Metamorphoses XI (an answer to Wytse Keulen)

Abstract A list of Apuleius' puns in Metamorphoses has been included in my recent article on his use of Etymology. There seem to occur only a few cases of word-play in Book 11. One may well wonder whether this is just due to chance, or it depends on a peculiar characteristic of the last book, namely its "seriousness". I believe that the last book is different as regards the tone and the atmosphere, but not as regards the style: as for the style, Book 11 is perfectly in harmony with the other ten. It is all about the relation that Apuleius bears to Latin language, which is always one of challenge, in every single work of his, independently from its subject and final purpose. This paper shows how Apuleius’ interest in etymology persists even in the most serious and the least playful and frivolous book of the Metamorphoses, as it is one important element, perhaps one of the main aspects, of his sparkling, astonishing form of expression, the only deity he really used to worship...