The love between a god and a mortal, a jealous mother, betrayal and the power of Olympus weave the tale of Cupid and Psyche.
The Jealousy of Aphrodite
Psyche, the beautiful youngest daughter of three could find no suitors, when both her sisters were able to. Her looks were so awe inspiring that men knelt at her feet and adored her, too fearful to offer themselves as a husband. Her beauty was said to be matched by none, and equal to that of Aphrodite, the powerful goddess. So angered was Aphrodite to be compared to a lowly mortal and deeply jealous was she that her temples and shrines were neglected, as the people of Greece were preoccupied with worshipping Psyche, that she plotted to trick her rival.
The Fall of Cupid
Aphrodite employed the help of her son, Cupid. All too willing was Cupid to cause mischief that he agreed to use his treacherous arrows against the innocent Psyche. With is quiver of arrows and delicate bow, Cupid sought out Psyche, but on seeing her all his and his mother’s plans fell apart. He was so stunned and drawn in by Psyche’s raw beauty that his enchanted arrows fell from his grasp, one piercing his own foot, and so cupid was poisoned by his own magic. He fell deeply and passionately in love with the young mortal woman. He swore that no other man, or god should have psyche but he and wished psyche were immortal so that she might live as long as he.
Psyche’s parents, fearing she would never marry and become a burden and old maid, sought the advice of an oracle. The oracle proclaimed that to find her equal mate Psyche must be left on a cliff top alone, and her lover would come and find her, and he would not be an ordinary man. So poor Psyches was led in procession to the mountain top, in all her bridle glory and left to her fate.
As she waited in solitude, Zephyr the god of the west wind intervened, driving her towards a fabulous palace hidden deep in the woods. The palace was the most exquisite that Psyche had ever seen and she wandered what sort of person the owner was.
Entering the house, Psyche was greeted by invisible servants who tended to her every need, bringing her food, water and comfort. Finally night came, a Psyche exhausted from her long journey and wait feel onto the bed which appeared before her ready to sleep. In the darkness, warm and secure arms wrapped around her, and a soft, gentle voice whispered kind words and declared eternal love.
Psyche immediately fell for this entity that spoke so sincerely of love. When the dawn came, her lover whispered to her that he must leave, they could never be together in the daylight for her own saftey, and Psyche must be content to never see the face of her husband. Psyche spent her day wandering the palace and relaxing in its many rooms, but longed for her husband to join her and be with her during the day. Yet every night he would return to her and they were happy for a time.
References
Classical Mythology-Geddes and Grosset-1995
Alex Leeper - Hello, My name is Alex Leeper. I am currently studying an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography and the university of ...
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