The Tale Of Cupid And Psyche

5 Pages 1227 Words

In Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, the ancient mythological tale of Cupid and Psyche is a story of love that has been enjoyed by people for centuries. In more detail, it is about beauty, truth, and goodness, for these are three aspects of love. It is also about death, the hereafter, and rebirth. Its simplicity touches hearts, and at the same time tantalizes our minds. Beneath the story's romantic presentation lies a profound theme: the quest of the human soul. Psyche’s desire is for divine love and Cupid’s is for expression.
The story is about a princess named Psyche, who was so beautiful that when it came time for her to wed no suitors could be found -- for everyone worshiped her from afar believing that she was the appearance on earth of the Goddess of Love. While this attention saddened and embarrassed the young princess it infuriated Aphrodite, the real Goddess of Beauty and Love. She directed her son, the young and fun-loving Cupid, to cast a spell upon Psyche that would cause her to fall in love with some despicable creature and in consequence to suffer so greatly that her beauty would fade. Obediently Cupid descended to earth, but the moment he saw the maiden his heart filled with love.
Meanwhile, Psyche's parents had gone to the Oracle at Delphi for advice. The Pythia's reply was explicit: dress Psyche in mourning, escort her to the top of the mountain, and leave her to await her bridegroom who, in the words of Apollo, would be "that terrible tyrant whose jurisdiction extends from heaven to hell” (Hamilton 98). Grief-stricken, the royal parents would not have obeyed had not Psyche, weary of her lonely life, insisted they comply. She was led in funeral procession to the summit of the mountain and left there as the sun slowly set. Zephyrus, the evening breeze, at the behest of Cupid, carried her down into the valley below. Upon waking, Psyche found herself before the entrance of a magnificent palace. She ente...