Reading Notes: Cupid and Psyche Part B

"Cupid and Psyche" from "The Golden Ass" by Apuleius

Content:

• Family drama: I liked how much the gods' relationships with one another reflected standard family relationships. Some examples include Venus lecturing Cupid to the effect of "you spoiled child, I raised you better" and Juno's family loyalty that resulted in her not protecting Psyche. It goes to show that even characters of fantasy/mythology can be deeply flawed, and (coincidentally?) reflect the cultures that created them. 
• Along those lines, the story actually addressed some really powerful themes, particularly relating to gender and romantic relationships. 
• The meaning of marriage, which was defined twice in the story: once when Cupid and Psyche slept together for the first time, and once when they had a marriage ceremony surrounded by the gods. What makes a relationship legitimate?
• Psyche's feelings about pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy is a very loaded topic. Psyche's initial excitement followed by her fear of birthing a monster reflects some of the mixed emotions that new parents have about their children.
• Power and control. Cupid has total power over Psyche (although he eventually decides to give her more freedom) and uses it to control her actions, including contact with her family. Venus does the same with Psyche by challenging her to risk her life to meet Venus' standards. 
• The constant relation of maleness to courage. 
• Perspective: The outside story (about the Ass) is told in first person perspective. The inside story is told in third person. This switch emphasizes the separation of the two stories. 
• The characters seemed to have more depth as the story went on. Venus, for instance, had conflicting emotions about her relationship with her son and his wife. Psyche also became less passive (although she remained in the role of the "damsel in distress"). 

Psyche and Amor by Francois Gerard via Wikipedia

Style:

• If I enjoyed the flowery language in the first half, then oh boy, was this one a treat. 
• "I beseech you by the fruitful power of your right hand, by the joy-filled ceremony of the harvest, by the unspoken mystery of the sacred basket, by the winged flight of your dragon-servants, by the furrowed Sicilian fields and Pluto's chariot, by Proserpine's descent to a gloomy wedding..."
• "The reward offered is seven sweet kisses from Venus herself and one more deeply honeyed touch of her caressing tongue" 
• What???
• This section also had some vivid descriptions of locations, particularly words evoking lush valleys and golden palaces.