Magic, the cynical view

As we've been reading the story of Aristomenes and Socrates, I keep thinking how this seems like an excuse. Maybe it's my modern, skeptical attitude, (very opposite of the open mind Lucius wants us to have), but the instant Socrates started talking about a witch, I started wondering about his motives. Of course, it's easy to blame your infidelity and neglect of your family on the wiles of a witch. Clearly, she must have entrapped you and be unwilling to let you go.

Aristomenes' story has a slightly different purpose. In his story, he invites Socrates to his room, and during the night two witches burst the door open and kill Socrates, leaving Aristomenes unharmed (except for urinating on him). The door is magically repaired, as we're told, and Aristomenes is left with a dead body.

Now, turn this on its head. Imagine that Aristomenes wants to kill Socrates (for whatever reason). He brings Socrates to his room and splits his throat. What sort of defense could he present? It was a witch! Remember, we only have Aristomenes' word that there was a witch after Socrates (no other witnesses to that conversation). Also, attributing it to a witch neatly explains why nobody was seen entering the room (they could use magic to hide their entrance), and why the door shows no sign of forced entry (remember the magical restoration of the door after the witches leave). In fact, the only sign of the witches' presence is the smell of urine on Aristomenes, and that's hardly good evidence.

Of course, the later temporary resurrection of Socrates makes my story less plausible, since that means that Aristomenes doesn't really need to make up a story to defend his murder, but up until I got to that point in the story, I was firmly convinced that there was a subtext of Aristomenes killing Socrates and making up the story of a witch to transfer the blame.

This story also reminded me of all the stories of Zeus approaching women in various guises. That always sounds like a good excuse to a jealous husband: but a god came! He looked like a swan! or a bull! or a shower of gold! or you! Also, that would be some protection for you and your child, if you say the other parent is a god.

I never know if this cynical interpretation is supposed to be suggested in any of these circumstances, or if it's just me.
COMMENT:  Of course, it may just be you, Jenny, but  this story within a story begs to be challenged at every level, right down to the weird dialogue Aristomenes has in his head with his imaginary prosecutor.  Lucius, who asked for this story, is clearly a gullible audience, and Aristomenes doesn't present himself as a very reliable narrator.  We only have his word for Socrates' resurrection, and his whole story is vehemently challenged by the other listener at the end of Book 1.