*LITERARY ANALYSIS: CUPID & PSYCHE
“The Hero's Journey”
In Apuleius's myth of Cupid and Psyche, we see a perfect example of the Hero's Journey described by Joseph Campbell. The story follows the journey of Psyche, a beautiful mortal woman who captures the heart of Cupid, the god of love. However, their love is forbidden, and Psyche must undertake a series of trials to prove herself worthy of Cupid's love. The story begins with Psyche's introduction as a beautiful mortal woman who is so beautiful that she is compared to Venus, the goddess of beauty."
There was once a king and queen who had three daughters. The youngest of them was so beautiful that the fame of her beauty spread through the whole world" (Thury/Devinney, 2017). "She was worshipped as a goddess by the people, and suitors visited her from far & wide, all of whom wanted to marry her" (Thury/Devinney, 2017). This issue immediately sets up Psyche as the story's hero, as she is favored by all the gods but Venus and has to undertake the trials that will ultimately lead her to her destiny. One of the critical elements of the Hero's Journey is the call to adventure.
In the case of Cupid and Psyche, this comes in the form of a prophecy that foretells Psyche's marriage to a monster." The king and queen, who were deeply troubled by this vision, consulted the oracle of Apollo, and the prophet told them that mortal eyes must never see the girl, for if she were, she would bring disaster upon her family and her kingdom" (Thury/Devinney, 2017).
This prophecy serves as a call to adventure, forcing Psyche to leave her comfortable life and embark on a journey to find her true love. "Psyche, a wise and thoughtful girl, did not want to marry any of them, for she knew that they only wanted her for her beauty and not for who she was" (Thury/Devinney, 2017).
Another critical aspect of the Hero's Journey is the presence of a mentor or guide. In the case of Cupid and Psyche, this role is filled by the goddess Ceres, who helps Psyche along her journey and provides her with the tools and knowledge she needs to complete her trials. As Psyche undertakes her problems, we see several elements of the Hero's Journey at play. For example, she faces a series of challenges and obstacles, including a series of tasks set by Venus, who is jealous of Psyche's beauty.
"One day, while Psyche was out walking in the gardens, she saw a beautiful butterfly, and she reached out to touch it but as soon as she touched the butterfly, a sudden pain struck her, and she fell to the ground, unconscious. When she woke up, she found herself in a beautiful palace, surrounded by servants who waited on her hand and foot. She was told that the palace belonged to Cupid, the god of love and that he had fallen in love with her and brought her there to be his bride" (Thury/Devinney, 2017).
Psyche must draw on her inner strength and determination, as well as the help of others. One of the key themes of the Hero's Journey is the hero's transformation. As Psyche undergoes her trials, she grows and changes, becoming more robust and capable. She learns to trust in herself and her abilities and becomes more resilient and independent. In the end, she can complete her trials and win the love of Cupid.
The characters in the myth, particularly Cupid and Psyche, embody the classic hero and heroine archetypes. Cupid, as the hero, must overcome the obstacles set forth by his mother, Venus, to be with the object of his affection, Psyche. As the heroine, Psyche must undergo trials and tribulations to prove herself worthy of Cupid's love after betraying his trust.
The myth portrays "Psyche,” who was still a mortal, as afraid of Cupid, and she begged him to let her see him. Cupid, a kind and gentle god, agreed, but he warned her that she must never try to see his face, for if she did, she would lose him forever. Nevertheless, Psyche, curious and impetuous, could not resist the temptation, and one night, while Cupid was sleeping, she lit a candle and tried to look at his face" (Thury/Devinney, 2017).
The myth's plot follows the hero's journey. Then it becomes Psyche an urgent lesson for her to learn, with Psyche undergoing a series of trials and tests before ultimately achieving her goal of winning Cupid's love. This unknown love was an issue, but Cupid wanted to make sure Psyche loved him for him and not just his looks and power also.
"But as soon as she saw him, she was overcome with love and desire, and she dropped the candle, setting the palace on fire. Cupid, angry and disappointed, left her, and Psyche was left alone and heartbroken, wandering the world in search of her lost love" (Thury/Devinney, 2017).
The setting of the myth is a fantastical world of gods and goddesses, demons, and monsters, providing a rich landscape for the hero's journey to unfold. Symbols and motifs in the myth, such as the use of wings and the motif of light and dark, further reinforce the hero's journey. Cupid is often depicted with wings, symbolizing his ability to transcend the mortal realm and achieve the impossible.
The motif of light and dark is also prevalent in the myth, with Psyche's trials taking place in dark, foreboding places and her eventual triumph being marked by the return of light and beauty. The themes of the myth, such as love, determination, and the power of the human spirit, are universal and timeless. These themes resonate with the culture in which the myth originated, as well as with contemporary audiences.
The myth of Cupid and Psyche bears many similarities to other legends, such as the story of Odin and Loki, Isis and Osiris, and the Mwindo Epic. In all these stories, we see a hero who must undertake a journey and face challenges to achieve their destiny. In the case of Balder and Hermod, we see a hero who must journey to the underworld to rescue his beloved brother. In the case of Isis and Osiris, we see a hero who must travel to the underworld to bring her husband back to life.
Moreover, in the Mwindo Epic, we know a hero who must journey to the underworld to reclaim his kingdom. All of these myths serve a similar function in their respective cultures. They provide a way for people to understand and make sense of the world around them. They offer a framework for understanding life's journey and provide a way for people to find meaning and purpose in their own lives.
These myths also provide insight into the cultures that created them. For example, the tale of Cupid and Psyche reveals a great deal about the Roman culture in which it was created. The story speaks to the importance of beauty and love in Roman society, as well as the role of the gods in people's lives. These myths share a common thread in exploring the hero's journey.
The hero must overcome external and internal obstacles to achieve their goals and fulfill their destiny. These myths serve as a means for the culture to explore and understand the complexities of human experience, providing insights into the culture's values and beliefs. The legend of Cupid and Psyche is a complex tale that incorporates elements of sociological, cosmological, anti- logical, metaphysical, and anthropological insight. The story explores the universal themes of love, jealousy, and the search for personal identity.
Through a careful analysis of the text, it becomes clear that the myth of Cupid and Psyche provides a rich tapestry of ideas and themes that continue to resonate with readers today. From a sociological perspective, the tale of Cupid and Psyche reveals the complex and often fraught nature of human relationships. Throughout the story, the characters are constantly tested by the demands and expectations of their respective social roles.
Cupid, as the god of love, is expected to be faithful and devoted to his mortal bride, Psyche. However, his jealous nature often makes him resentful and possessive of her. Meanwhile, Psyche is forced to navigate the expectations of her role as a mortal bride of a god and the demands of her own family and society. Ultimately, the story suggests that the needs of social functions can be both a source of conflict and a potential source of growth and fulfillment.
From a cosmological perspective, the myth of Cupid and Psyche also offers insight into the nature of the universe and the gods. Throughout the story, the gods are depicted as powerful and capricious beings who can shape the lives of mortals according to their whims.
This reflects the ancient belief that the gods were the ultimate arbiters of human destiny and that mortals were at their mercy. At the same time, the story also suggests that the gods are fallible and subject to the same human weaknesses and flaws as mortals. This indicates that the universe is a complex and ever-changing place where even the gods are not immune to the forces of change and uncertainty.
From an anti-logical perspective, the myth of Cupid and Psyche is a complex and often contradictory tale. On the one hand, the story suggests that love is a powerful force that can overcome even the most challenging obstacles. On the other hand, the report also portrays love as a source of jealousy, possessiveness, and a force that can lead to conflict and heartache. This tension between the positive and negative aspects of love is a vital theme of the story, and it reflects the inherent complexity of human emotions and relationships.
From a metaphysical perspective, the myth of Cupid and Psyche also offers insight into the nature of the human soul. Throughout the story, Psyche is depicted as a young woman searching for her true identity and purpose in life. This search ultimately leads her to her true love, Cupid, and the two are united in a deep and spiritual bond. This suggests that the human soul is a complex and ever-evolving entity and that it is only through self-discovery and spiritual growth that we can utterly understand our place in the world.
From an anthropological perspective, the oral myth of Cupid and Psyche is also a commentary on the human condition. The story suggests that human beings are constantly searching for meaning and fulfillment and that love is critical to this search. However, the report also reveals the challenges and obstacles we must overcome to achieve true love and happiness.
This suggests that the human journey is complicated and sometimes treacherous, but it is worth pursuing to find true fulfillment and happiness. In the myth of Cupid and Psyche, Apuleius presents a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. Through the trials and misfortunes of the two main characters, the story explores the complexities of human relationships and the power of true love.
Despite their forbidden love, Cupid and Psyche are determined to be together and embark on a journey of trials and tribulations. Psyche must overcome her fear and trust in Cupid, while Cupid must prove his love and devotion to Psyche. Through their struggles, they learn to be honest and faithful to each other, and their love ultimately triumphs over the obstacles in their way. The myth of Cupid and Psyche teaches us that true love is worth fighting for and that it can overcome any obstacle. It also shows us the dangers of jealousy and envy and the importance of being honest and faithful in our relationships.
Cupid and Psyche are rewarded for their perseverance, and the gods bless their love. They can be together and live happily ever after, proving that true love conquers all. Overall, the myth of Cupid and Psyche is a timeless tale that speaks to the human experience of love and relationships. The struggles and triumphs of the two main characters teach us valuable lessons about the power of love and the importance of honesty and trust in our relationships.
The myth of Cupid and Psyche has continued to be significant to contemporary culture because it is a timeless tale of love and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.
The story has been retold and interpreted in many different ways over the centuries and continues to be a popular subject in literature, art, and film. In terms of personal growth, the myth of Cupid and Psyche can be seen as a reminder of the importance of love and relationships in our lives.
It can also remind us that love is not always easy and often requires us to overcome complex challenges to be happy. Ultimately, the myth can be seen as a reminder that love is worth fighting for and a powerful force that can help us overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
~JAH
Joseph Campbell: The Hero's Journey (VIDEO)
Posterazzi Cupid and Psyche Antonio Canova Marble Sculpture Musee du Louvre Paris Poster Print, (8 x 10) (POSTER)
The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell) (BOOK)
Works Cited/ Additional Titles
Thury, E., Devinney, M. (2017). Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths. (4th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press
