Reading Notes: Cupid and Psyche, Part B

Venus, especially in this second half of Cupid and Psyche, is presented as a brutal and powerful villain despite being a deity of love and beauty. She’s so in command of her domain that the sea itself parts when she demands it, but also sweet-natured enough that the sky opens up and accepts her into Olympus when she chooses to go there.

If this story is an allegory, as refashioned by Martianus Capella in the 5th century, where does Venus stand as an analogue for love? In this form, Psyche stands in for the human soul, while Cupid represents sexual love. The story, then, is a tragedy: “In the version of Martianus, sexual love draws Psyche into the material world that is subject to death: Cupid takes Psyche from Virtue and shackles her in adamantine chains.” If this is true, does it mean romantic love is opposed to sexual love?

Or, if the story’s metaphor is more innocent, and Cupid’s love for Psyche isn’t corrupt/doesn’t lead to death, then what does Venus’ role in the story represent? Love’s jealous fury at being snubbed in favor of Psyche’s incredible beauty? Venus is the cause Psyche’s problems in the second half of the story—are Venus’ romantic love and Cupid’s sexual love incompatible?

There is more information in this section about Venus’ three handmaidens: Familiarity, Anxiety, and Sorrow, as well:

Familiarity could be the spirit Amicitia (Greek: Philotes), a spirit of friendship, affection, and sexual intercourse.

Anxiety, I couldn’t find any information for. There are minor spirits of anxiety called Sollicitatio (vexation), Metus (dread, fear, terror), and Pavor (panic and fear). The latter two are sons of Venus.

Sorrow, I couldn’t find specific information for, but she was probably one of the Dolores (Greek: Algea), spirits of pain, suffering, sorrow, and distress. There was also a slightly more important goddess, Miseria (Greek: Oizys), spirit of misery, distress, and suffering.

Source: Cupid and Psyche from Apuleius' Golden Ass, translated by Tony Kline. Web source.


Image: Venus by Antonio Canova. Web source.