MYTHOLOGY: TIMELESS TALES OF GODS & HEROES Chapters 5-8

CUPID AND PSYCHE A story told by an old woman in Apuleius' epic The Golden Ass

Cupid (Eros) Son of Venus (and Mars?) God of desire, erotic love (eros) Personification of love and courtship Often pictured as a naked winged child with bow and arrow Sometimes depicted wearing armor Appears in many of Ovid’s stories Most famous story is that of Cupid and Psyche from Apuleius’ Golden Ass (Metamorphoses)

Cupid and Psyche Similar to a fairy tale Psyche was so beautiful that people were neglecting the worship of Venus Venus got jealous of Psyche Revenge: Venus gets Cupid make Psyche fall in love with a horrible beast When Cupid saw how beautiful she was he pricked himself with his own arrow and fell in love with her

Cupid and Psyche (2) Although everyone thought Psyche was so beautiful, no one ever fell in love with her The Oracle told Psyche’s parents that she was destined to marry a monster Parents were told to take Psyche to the top of a mountain and leave her there. West Wind (Zephyrus) transported her to a palace

Cupid and Psyche (3) Psyche’s destined husband was supposedly a winged serpent who came to take her as his wife He only appears to her at night when she can’t really see him Psyche’s sisters come to visit her at the palace and become jealous of her. They get her to take a look at her husband, who turns out to be Cupid! Cupid wanted to hide this from Venus.

Cupid and Psyche (4) As soon as Psyche saw Cupid, the palace and Cupid disappeared into a puff of smoke. Psyche roamed in search of Cupid lovesick Psyche went to Venus (who was still angry with her) Venus charges Psyche with completing several outrageous tasks Once accomplished (with the help of some “friends.” )

Cupid and Psyche (5) Psyche’s impossible tasks: 1 . Sort, grain by grain, an entire room full of seeds in the span of a single day (ants) 2. Must fetch a jar that contained beauty from Persephone in the underworld (given instructions)

Cupid and Psyche (6) Cupid tells Zeus the whole story and begs for his mercy Zeus grants Cupid’s wish that he might be married to Psyche in the sight of all. Venus gives up her anger Zeus grants Psyche immortality. They live happily ever-after! PSYCHE means “soul” in Greek

PYGMALION & GALATEA

Pygmalion & Galatea (1) Pygmalion: handsome and talented sculptor but hates women Falls in love with a beautiful statue Clothes the figure, gives it jewels Names the sculpted woman Galatea (sleeping love) Becomes obsessed with statue; treats her as a girlfriend Had always vowed not to marry, for the sake of his art

Pygmalion & Galatea (2) Pygmalion prays to Venus for a woman who looks just like Galatea Venus thinks the statue looks just like her, so grants his wish. Venus brings the statue to life Pygmalion and Galatea get married They honored Venus, and Venus aided them for the rest of their lives