Cupid and Psyche: Key Takeaways
- Cupid and Psyche is a Roman myth written in the 2nd century CE, based on similar, much older folktales from Europe and Asia.
- The story is part of Africanus' comic novel "The Golden Ass."
- The tale involves the love relationship between a mortal and a god, and it is a rarity in classical literature, in that it has a happy ending.
What are the five important event of Cupid and Psyche?
Psyche's adventure takes her just about everywhere in the world of Greco-Roman mythology. She starts at in the mortal world, then goes to live with Cupid in his magical palace, eventually heads to the underworld, and finally ends up with the gods on Mt. Olympus.
What finally happened to Cupid and Psyche?
Cupid, unbeknownst to Psyche, had been divinely helping her through all her trials. Recovered from him burns and no longer able to bear being away from his love, Cupid flies to her. After he puts the sleep back into its box, Psyche revives.
What is the moral of the story Cupid and Psyche?
Cupid and Psyche Make Us Hopeful About Love Another moral to this story is the idea that love will find you – -and true love will never really leave you behind. Adapted from my book, The Goddess Pages: A Divine Guide to Finding Love and Happiness. Does Ares hate Zeus? He was the son of Zeus and Hera, both of whom hated him (according to Homer).
What are the key points in Cupid and Psyche?
- Source: Thomas Bulfinch, The Age of Fable; or, Stories of Gods and Heroes, 3rd edition (Boston: Sanborn, Carter, Bazin and Company, 1855), ch. ...
- Edited by D. ...
- Bulfinch's source is The Golden Ass (books 4-6) by the Roman writer Lucius Apuleius.
What is the main idea of Cupid and Psyche?
The central conflict of the myth of Cupid and Psyche stems from a betrayal. Cupid hides his true face from Psyche, asking her not to look upon his godlike form as a test of her faith in him, and she betrays this trust when her sisters provoke her into believing that her husband is truly a hideous monster.May 27, 2020
What is the conclusion of the story Cupid and Psyche?
In conclusion, the the story of Cupid and Psyche is very powerful. It has many different feelings such as, love and jealous. Venus was jealous of Psyche but that got her nowhere because Psyche became her daughter in law. Love overcame Psyche's mistake of breaking Cupid's promise.
Why is the story of Cupid and Psyche important?
The story of Cupid and Psyche forms the centrepiece of the Latin novel Metamorphoses – or The Golden Ass – by the second-century AD writer Apuleius. His tale narrates how the beautiful princess Psyche (ψυχή, “Soul”, in Greek) gains the enmity of Venus but the love of Venus' son Cupid (or Amor, “Love”, in Latin).Jun 19, 2021
What happens to Psyche at the end of her story?
At long last, Cupid and Psyche get to be together. Cupid and Psyche end up having a daughter together, named Voluptas (a.k.a. Hedone, sometimes translated as Pleasure).
What happened when Psyche looked at Cupid?
Cupid found Psyche and woke her with a kiss. Psyche then completed her mission by delivering the box to Venus, while Cupid undertook to end the conflict. A Happy Ending. Cupid took Psyche's case directly to Jupiter, king of the gods, and persuaded him to help.Feb 11, 2019
What does Psyche do to find Cupid?
Psyche, meanwhile, journeys all over the land to find Cupid. She decides to go to Venus herself in a plea for love and forgiveness, and when she finally sees Venus, the great goddess laughs aloud. Venus shows her a heap of seeds and tells her that she must sort them all in one night's time if she wants to see Cupid again. This task is impossible for one person alone, but ants pity Psyche and sort the seeds for her. Shocked, Venus then orders Psyche to sleep on the cold ground and eat only a piece of bread for dinner. But Psyche survives the night easily. Finally, Venus commands her to retrieve a golden fleece from the river. She almost drowns herself in the river because of her sorrow, but a reed speaks to her and suggests that she collect the golden pieces of fleece from the thorny briar that catches it. Psyche follows these instructions and returns a sizable quantity to Venus. The amazed goddess, still at it, now orders Psyche to fill a flask from the mouth of the River Styx. When Psyche reaches the head of the river, she realizes that this task seems impossible because the rocks are so dangerous. This time, an eagle helps her and fills the flask. Venus still does not give in. She challenges Psyche to go into the underworld and have Persephone put some of her beauty in a box. Miraculously, Psyche succeeds.
What is the meaning of the word "cupid" and "psyche"?
Mythology Summary and Analysis of Cupid and Psyche. A stunningly beautiful girl, Psyche, is born after two older sisters. People throughout the land worship her beauty so deeply that they forget about the goddess Venus. Venus becomes angry that her temples are falling to ruin, so she plots to ruin Psyche.
Why does Venus support the marriage of Cupid?
Venus now supports the marriage because her son has married a goddess—and because Psyche will no longer distract the men on earth from Venus. This story centers on the power of true love. Psyche first doubts that love, feeling that she must see Cupid in the flesh.
What does Persephone do to Psyche?
She challenges Psyche to go into the underworld and have Persephone put some of her beauty in a box. Miraculously, Psyche succeeds. On her way toward giving the box to Venus, she becomes curious, opens the box, and instantly falls asleep. Meanwhile, Cupid looks for Psyche and finds her sleeping.
What does Venus do when she sees Psyche?
But when Cupid sees Psyche in her radiant glory, he shoots himself with the arrow instead.
Why does Psyche weep when she sees the beautiful cupid asleep on her bed?
When she sees the beautiful Cupid asleep on her bed, she weeps for her lack of faith. Cupid awakens and deserts her because Love cannot live where there is no trust. Cupid returns to his mother, Venus, who again decides to enact revenge on the beautiful girl. Psyche, meanwhile, journeys all over the land to find Cupid.
What does Psyche do to Venus?
Psyche follows these instructions and returns a sizable quantity to Venus. The amazed goddess, still at it, now orders Psyche to fill a flask from the mouth of the River Styx. When Psyche reaches the head of the river, she realizes that this task seems impossible because the rocks are so dangerous.
What is the moral lesson of Cupid and Psyche?
Likewise, what is the moral lesson of Cupid and Psyche? Answer and Explanation: Cupid teaches Psyche the lesson that without trust there can be no love. Psyche accepts a prophecy that she will never marry a mortal, but a monster.
What does Cupid tell her to do?
Cupid tells her to take the box to Venus and to let him take care of the rest. He flies to Jupiter (a.k.a. Zeus), and he begs the king of the gods to help him and Psyche. Cupid and Psyche end up having a daughter together, named Voluptas (a.k.a. Hedone, sometimes translated as Pleasure).
What are the four tasks in the Epic Trials of Psyche?
The four tasks were: Sort a huge mount of barley, millet, poppy seeds, lentils, and beans. Aphrodite asked Psyche to bring her back a box of Persephone's beauty cream.
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What does Cupid do to Venus?
Cupid so pities her that he commands myriad ants to complete the task for her. The next day, Psyche is ordered to gather the golden fleece of Venus’s sheep. Obeying the advice of a reed at the edge of the river, she waits until the animals are asleep and then collects the wool that was left clinging to the bushes.
What happens when Psyche awakens?
Psyche tries to follow but falls in a swoon at the threshold. When she awakens, the palace vanishes. Determined to seek her lover, she wanders alone across the countryside and through cities, hunting the god. Meanwhile, Cupid takes his vengeance on her sisters.
What does Venus do to Psyche?
Venus, jealous of Psyche’s beauty, calls her son Cupid and orders him to use his arrows (whoever is struck with one of his arrows falls in love with whomever he or she is looking at) to turn Psyche’s heart toward a creature so hideous that mortals will be filled with loathing at the sight of Psyche’s mate. Preparing to shoot his arrow, Cupid, seeing his victim, is transfixed by her beauty. He drops his arrow and it strikes him in the leg. He falls in love with Psyche and decides that she should be his forever. While Psyche sleeps, Zephyrus comes at Cupid’s bidding and carries her to the valley in which Love’s house stands. There she awakens in a grove of trees in which stands a magnificent golden palace. She enters the building and wanders through the sumptuously furnished rooms.
What is the task of Psyche on the fourth day?
On the fourth day, Psyche is given her most difficult task; she is to go to the land of the dead and there collect some of the beauty of the goddess Proserpine in a golden box. If she succeeds, Venus promises she will treat Psyche kindly thereafter.
What happens to Psyche in the temples of Ceres and Juno?
Warned by her heart to flee, she is nevertheless drawn before the throne of the goddess. Venus decides that Psyche should be kept as a slave.
What does Psyche tell her at noon?
At noon, Psyche finds a table lavishly spread. A voice invites her to eat, assures her that the house is hers, and tells her that the being who is to be her lover will come that night. As she lies in bed that night, a voice close beside her tells her not to be afraid.
What does Cupid do to Psyche?
Psyche's family longs for news of her, and after much cajoling, Cupid, still unknown to his bride, permits Zephyr to carry her sisters up for a visit. When they see the splendor in which Psyche lives, they become envious, and undermine her happiness by prodding her to uncover her husband's true identity, since surely as foretold by the oracle she was lying with the vile winged serpent, who would devour her and her child.
When was the story of Cupid and Psyche written?
The story of Cupid and Psyche was known to Boccaccio in c. 1370, but the editio princeps dates to 1469. Ever since, the reception of Cupid and Psyche in the classical tradition has been extensive. The story has been retold in poetry, drama, and opera, and depicted widely in painting, sculpture, and even wallpaper. Though Psyche is usually referred to in Roman mythology by her Greek name, her Roman name through direct translation is Anima.
How many scenes are there in Apuleius?
In Apuleius. Psyche Honoured by the People (1692–1702) from a series of 12 scenes from the story by Luca Giordano. The tale of Cupid and Psyche (or "Eros and Psyche") is placed at the midpoint of Apuleius's novel, and occupies about a fifth of its total length. The novel itself is a first-person narrative by the protagonist Lucius.
What is the psyche in the West Wind?
Psyche is arrayed in funeral attire, conveyed by a procession to the peak of a rocky crag, and exposed. Marriage and death are merged into a single rite of passage, a "transition to the unknown". Zephyrus the West Wind bears her up to meet her fated match, and deposits her in a lovely meadow ( locus amoenus), where she promptly falls asleep.
When did Cupid and Psyche peak?
Another peak of interest in Cupid and Psyche occurred in the Paris of the late 1790s and early 1800s, reflected in a proliferation of opera, ballet, Salon art, deluxe book editions, interior decoration such as clocks and wall paneling, and even hairstyles.
What are some similarities between Psyche and the Psyche?
Psyche's story has some similarities, including the theme of dangerous curiosity, punishments and tests, and redemption through divine favor. As a structural mirror of the overarching plot, the tale is an example of mise en abyme.
What is the Roman name for Psyche?
Though Psyche is usually referred to in Roman mythology by her Greek name, her Roman name through direct translation is Anima.
What is the myth of Cupid and Psyche?
The myth of Cupid and Psyche is one of the great love stories of the ancient world and it even has a happy ending. It's also a myth in which a heroine must prove her mettle by coming back from the dead.
When was Cupid and Psyche written?
Cupid and Psyche is a Roman myth written in the 2nd century CE , based on similar, much older folktales from Europe and Asia.
What is the root of Midsummer Night's Dream?
Scholar James McPeek has pointed to the Cupid and Psyche myth as one root of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and not just because there is a magical transformation of someone into a donkey. McPeek points out that all of the lovers in the story—Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius, and Titania and Oberon—find "true marriages" only after suffering through bad ones created and resolved by magical means.
What does Venus do to her son?
In jealousy and rage, Venus persuades her son the infant god Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with a monster. Psyche discovers that she is revered as a goddess but never sought for human love. Her father seeks a solution from Apollo, who tells him to expose her on a mountaintop where she will be devoured by a monster.
What does a drop of oil do in Psyche?
Wakened by a drop of oil from the lamp, he flies away. Pregnant, Psyche attempts suicide and when that fails, she asks her mother-in-law Venus for assistance.
What is the meaning of the myth of Amor and Psyche?
He said that according to the myth, to become fully spiritual a woman must take a journey from her sensual, unconscious dependence on a man to the ultimate nature of love, accepting him for the monster he hides within.
What happens to Venus when she falls unconscious?
She falls unconscious, but Cupid awakens her and introduces her as a bride among the immortals. Venus is reconciled to the new resident of Mount Olympus, and the birth of their child "Pleasure" or "Hedone" seals the bond.
Why does Cupid shoot Psyche?
She gets Cupid to shoot Psyche with an arrow to make her fall in love with an ugly person but Cupid is so taken aback by her looks that he accidentally shoots himself.
What happens when Cupid saves her?
So she opens the box of beauty but it turns out it was only filled with DEATH, so she dies but then Cupid saves her and she becomes a goddess and they marry each other and live immortally ever after. The end.
What does Psyche do in Aphrodite?
Psyche wandered the earth looking for Eros, and eventually comes into Aphrodite’s service. The goddess makes Psyche perform impossible tasks, such as a journey to the underworld.
What did Zephyr do to Psyche?
While Psyche stood on the ridge of the mountain, panting with fear and with eyes full of tears, the gentle Zephyr raised her from the earth and bore her with an easy motion into a flowery dale. By degrees her mind became composed, and she laid herself down on the grassy bank to sleep.
What does the mother of Cupid say to her son?
She points out Psyche to him and says, "My dear son, punish that contumacious beauty; give your mother a revenge as sweet as her injuries are great; infuse into the bosom of that haughty girl a passion for some low, mean, unworthy being, so that she may reap a mortification as great as her present exultation and triumph."
What does Cupid do in Venus' garden?
There are two fountains in Venus's garden, one of sweet waters, the other of bitter. Cupid filled two amber vases, one from each fountain, and suspending them from the top of his quiver, hastened to the chamber of Psyche, whom he found asleep. He shed a few drops from the bitter fountain over her lips, though the sight of her almost moved him to pity; then touched her side with the point of his arrow. At the touch she awoke, and opened eyes upon Cupid (himself invisible), which so startled him that in his confusion he wounded himself with his own arrow. Heedless of his wound, his whole thought now was to repair the mischief he had done, and he poured the balmy drops of joy over all her silken ringlets.
How many daughters did King and Queen have?
A certain king and queen had three daughters. The charms of the two elder were more than common, but the beauty of the youngest was so wonderful that the poverty of language is unable to express its due praise.
Where did the myth of Cupid and Psyche come from?
Cupid and Psyche is derived from the ancient Greeks, and the portrayal of women in the myth highlights some of the beliefs that the Greeks held about gender and behavior.
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What are the psyche sisters?
Psyche's sisters are scheming, jealous, devious, and even murderous. They are overwhelmed with envy and curiosity regarding Psyche's husband. They are so jealous, in fact, that they plot to ruin their own sister, and they manipulate Psyche into betraying her husband. Their malicious efforts succeed, at least initially, indicating that women were regarded as jealous and petty, especially with regards to love.
What does Cupid tell Psyche about her husband?
Psyche is blown away by how ridiculously handsome her husband is . She's so distracted that she lets a drop of oil fall and burns his skin. Cupid wakes up and sees his wife standing there with the lamp and a knife. Furious, he flies out the window, telling Psyche that she'll never see him again.
Why does Cupid sneak into Psyche's bedroom?
Cupid sneaks into Psyche's bedroom to do his mother's bidding, but, when he sees how beautiful Psyche is , he gets all distracted and pricks himself with his own arrow. Cupid falls instantly in love with Psyche and leaves without doing what his mother told him to do.
What does Ceres ask Psyche to do?
Ceres is impressed with Psyche's devotion. Psyche asks for some help. Ceres wishes she could give Psyche a hand, but the goddess says she can't go against Venus. Ceres advises Psyche to go to Venus and humbly beg for forgiveness. Psyche takes Ceres' advice and presents herself to Venus.
Why does Venus tell Psyche it doesn't count?
Venus returns and tells Psyche that it doesn't count, because Psyche couldn't have done it by herself. The next day the goddess of love gives her daughter-in-law another task. Psyche must collect golden fleece from the back of every sheep in a herd that hangs out by a river.
What does Psyche convince her husband to do?
Psyche convinces her invisible husband to let her sisters come and visit her. He reluctantly agrees and has Zephyr float them down.
What is the wind that lifts Psyche from the mountain?
So, Psyche is chilling on top of the mountain, fully expecting something terrible to happen. Zephyr, the west wind, comes and lifts her, carrying the princess gently from the mountaintop down to a beautiful field of flowers. Psyche comes across an amazing castle and goes inside.
What does Psyche hear in the castle?
The place is decked out with tons of treasure and priceless pieces of art. She hears voices that tell her that the palace and all the amazing stuff in it is hers. She's treated to a wonderful feast, complete with an invisible singing chorus for entertainment.
Overview
In Apuleius
- The happy ending, with Venus, Psyche, and Cupid all reaching a positive resolution, illustrates that when love is pure, all pains, sorrows, and challenges will align to ensure that the love is realized. Even nature, as the ants and eagle demonstrate, support true love. Of all the stories in the Greek mythology, none more clearly demonstrates that t...
As allegory
Classical tradition
See also
Further reading
External links
The tale of Cupid and Psyche (or "Eros and Psyche") is placed at the midpoint of Apuleius's novel, and occupies about a fifth of its total length. The novel itself is a first-person narrative by the protagonist Lucius. Transformed into a donkey by magic gone wrong, Lucius undergoes various trials and adventures, and finally regains human form by eating roses sacred to Isis. Psyche's story has some similarities, including the theme of dangerous curiosity, punishments and tests, and re…