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  • Essay / A comic analysis of the tale of Cupid and Psyche

    Although written in ancient times, one of Apuleius' collections of stories in the book of Metamorphoses entitled "The Tale of Cupid and Psyche" relates to the modern question of marriage and relationship. It reflects and gives hope to some relationships that started badly but ended well. I will examine the story of “The Tale of Cupid and Psyche” and relate its relevance to modern times. “The Tale of Cupid and Psyche” is a story about the relationship that the God of Love, Cupid, has with a mortal. named Psyche. Venus, goddess of beauty and mother of Cupid, was offended when people believed a rumor that Psyche, the most beautiful of the king and queen's three daughters, was Venus's daughter from a union with a mortal. She ordered Cupid to take revenge in her favor. However, Cupid fell in love with Psyche. One day, Psyche was led to a beautiful place until she was guided to a room. An anonymous creature made love to him and because of the darkness; she was unable to see the creature. She then began to look forward to it, and the creature began to come to her every night but leaves before sunrise. Psyche's sisters pressured her to spy on the creature, which they thought was a monster, by bringing her a dagger and a lamp. One night, while Cupid was sleeping, Psyche lit the lamp and prepared the dagger to strike Cupid, but she saw the most attractive creature she had ever seen. Psyche unintentionally injured herself with Cupid's arrow, which then led to a deeper passion. She then woke up Cupid by spilling the oil from the lamp. Cupid then flew away (Relihan 65). Psyche's two sisters were envious when they learned that Psyche's lover was the God of Love. Both sisters offered each other prices based on their status, which I think is not the key to true joy and happiness. Love has no limits. There is always hope and whatever is wrong can be fixed if and only if there is true love between the two. There is always a second chance and everyone can improve and change for the better. Couples can overcome the trials of a relationship that grows along the way through love and trust, faith in God, and a willingness to be guided by God. Works Cited Relihan, Joel C. "The Tale of Cupid and Psyche". Indianapolis: Hackett, 2009. Print. S Parker and P Murgatroyd. Love Poetry and Apuleius's "Cupid and Psyche", The Classical Quarterly pp. 400-44. Cambridge University Press. Internet. 2000. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3556474 William E. Stephenson. The Comedy of Evil in Apuleius, Arion pp. 87-93. Boston University. Internet. 1964. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20140428