Reading Notes: Cupid and Psyche, Part B

 Cupid and Psyche by Apuleius

- I like the passion of Venus' speech in the first chapter of Part B. Even though she's wrong, she's passionate about it. 

- Psyche begs for protection from two separate goddesses but they both turn her down for fear and love of Venus. 

- Psyche is finally caught by Venus who proceeds to have her tortured. Psyche is forced to separate piles of wheat and barley but receives help from some six foot people to do the task. 

- Psyche and Cupid remain in the same household but separated. Venus gives Psyche another task to complete: to retrieve some wool from a lamb. Psyche instead plans to kill herself. A reed convinces Psyche not to kill herself and also gives her advice on how to get the wool from the lambs.  

- Venus then forces Psyche to retrieve water from the stream of Cocytus. Psyche looks on at the impossible task when the eagle Providence sweeps in and retrieves the vial of water for her. 

- Psyche must then take the vial to Persephone who gives her the potion for beauty. Psyche then has the unwise idea to take some of the water for herself. The potion immediately puts Psyche to sleep but Cupid comes to rescue her. Cupid sends Psyche on her way to Venus while he goes to Jupiter to beg for his cause. 

- Psyche and Cupid marry and have a daughter named Pleasure. 

- We return to the story of the old woman, the young girl, and the donkey. She finishes her story. The donkey contemplates his death and then escapes with the young girl on his back. They both make it safely away. 

Marriage of Cupid and Psyche (Source: Wikimedia)

Bibliography: "Cupid and Psyche" by Apuleius. Website: Myth and Folklore UN-Textbook.