The final portion of the Cupid and Psyche story is very much like a different Fairy Tale you might be familiar with...
One with a poor young woman who is treated like a slave...
I'll be back to post the final portion of Cupid and Psyche soon.
Until then, you can get your thinking cap on and get ready to guess which other Fairy Tale (with an animal helper) springs from Cupid and Psyche...
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Return To Cupid and Psyche
The place in the story where I left off was where Psyche had gone into the ornate palace, been shown around and seated to a spectacular feast - but she hadn't yet seen her new husband...
During this first night in the palace, Psyche dines and still does not 'see' her husband, however, he visits her, speaks to her - under cover of darkness, from standing in the shadows. He expressly asks her not to make attempts to look upon him, to 'see' him, and he speaks affectionately enough to Psyche and she is unafraid. She asks, from time to time, that her husband allow her to see what he looks like but he refuses this request
"Why should you wish to behold me?" he said. "Have you any doubt of my love? Have you any wish ungratified? If you saw me, perhaps you would fear me, perhaps adore me, but all I ask of you is to love me. I would rather you would love me as an equal than adore me as a god."
He dashes away before the morning dawn's light appears.
These words sufficed for a while to excuse her new husband's behavior - and the wonderful novelty of the palace and its glitter kept Psyche distracted and reasonably content for a while. She was quite happy for a while, and her husband continued to speak with love in his voice, respect in his words - even though she still could not look upon his face. After a time, however, Psyche began to miss her family - who could not know all this while of her fate - or that she actually was enjoying such splendid circumstances, and she wished she could share the delights of the palace with them. Pretty soon, the ornate palace began to feel like a prison.
Finally, she expressed her concerns and her unhappiness to her husband one evening and he consented to allow Psyche's sisters to be brought to the palace to see her, though this consent was not easily won.
Psyche summoned Zephyr and so Zephyr could become accustomed to her husband's commands, so they rode Zephyr down through the mountains and into the sisters' valley. The sisters embraced Psyche and she returned their caresses.
"Come," said Psyche, "enter with me my house and refresh yourselves with whatever your sister has to offer."
Taking the sisters' hands, Psyche led them to the palace, made them familiar and comfortable with the surroundings, and committed them to the care of the attendant voices. The sisters were able to bathe in luxurious surroundings to refresh themselves then join Psyche at her table and Psyche continued to show them the treasures of the palace. The sisters were taken with a certain jealousy at their younger sister's good fortune and the splendor all around, which much exceeded their own.
They asked a seemingly unending stream of questions, in addition to being curious as to where Psyche's new husband was. She answered by saying that he was a beautiful youth who spent most of his days hunting in the mountains. This answer didn't satisfy the sisters and they finally pulled from Psyche the truth that she hadn't actually ever seen her husband. To this, the sisters talked negatively, filling their young sister with worries and dark suspicions. They reminded their sister that the Pythian oracle had said she would marry a "direful and tremendous monster!"
They warned Psyche that the rumours about the village said that this husband was only nourishing Psyche and keeping her happy until it was time for him to devour her! They request that Psyche start arming herself with a sharp knife for protection and a lamp by which to see. They tell her to hide these items in her room until her husband's next visit. Psyche was instructed to wait until her husband fell asleep - then to take the lamp and look at him to see whether he was, indeed, and beautiful youth - or rather - a hideous monster:
"...when he is sound asleep, slip out of bed, bring forth your lamp, and see for yourself whether what they say is true or not. If it is, hesitate not to cut off the monster's head, and thereby recover your liberty."
Psyche struggled to erase these thoughts from her mind but they just wouldn't go away. Once her sisters were gone, she couldn't resist playing over in her mind what had been said and suggested. She gathered a knife and lamp and hid them in her room. When her husband fell asleep, she quickly grabbed the lamp and shone it toward him and beheld...
The most beautiful and charming looking God with golden ringlets draped over a snowy white neck and crimson cheeks. She saw two dewy wings at his shoulders, whiter than snow, with shining feathers like the tender blossoms of spring. So taken up by his beauty, Psyche leaned forward with the lamp to gain a better view. A drop of burning oil from the lamp fell on the god's shoulder.
Startled, he opened his eyes and fixed them upon Psyche's face. Without a word, he spread his white wings and flew out the window. So caught up in the moment, Psyche tried to follow. She reached the window and outward toward him and toppled from the window - all the way to the ground...
During this first night in the palace, Psyche dines and still does not 'see' her husband, however, he visits her, speaks to her - under cover of darkness, from standing in the shadows. He expressly asks her not to make attempts to look upon him, to 'see' him, and he speaks affectionately enough to Psyche and she is unafraid. She asks, from time to time, that her husband allow her to see what he looks like but he refuses this request
"Why should you wish to behold me?" he said. "Have you any doubt of my love? Have you any wish ungratified? If you saw me, perhaps you would fear me, perhaps adore me, but all I ask of you is to love me. I would rather you would love me as an equal than adore me as a god."
He dashes away before the morning dawn's light appears.
These words sufficed for a while to excuse her new husband's behavior - and the wonderful novelty of the palace and its glitter kept Psyche distracted and reasonably content for a while. She was quite happy for a while, and her husband continued to speak with love in his voice, respect in his words - even though she still could not look upon his face. After a time, however, Psyche began to miss her family - who could not know all this while of her fate - or that she actually was enjoying such splendid circumstances, and she wished she could share the delights of the palace with them. Pretty soon, the ornate palace began to feel like a prison.
Finally, she expressed her concerns and her unhappiness to her husband one evening and he consented to allow Psyche's sisters to be brought to the palace to see her, though this consent was not easily won.
Psyche summoned Zephyr and so Zephyr could become accustomed to her husband's commands, so they rode Zephyr down through the mountains and into the sisters' valley. The sisters embraced Psyche and she returned their caresses.
"Come," said Psyche, "enter with me my house and refresh yourselves with whatever your sister has to offer."
Taking the sisters' hands, Psyche led them to the palace, made them familiar and comfortable with the surroundings, and committed them to the care of the attendant voices. The sisters were able to bathe in luxurious surroundings to refresh themselves then join Psyche at her table and Psyche continued to show them the treasures of the palace. The sisters were taken with a certain jealousy at their younger sister's good fortune and the splendor all around, which much exceeded their own.
They asked a seemingly unending stream of questions, in addition to being curious as to where Psyche's new husband was. She answered by saying that he was a beautiful youth who spent most of his days hunting in the mountains. This answer didn't satisfy the sisters and they finally pulled from Psyche the truth that she hadn't actually ever seen her husband. To this, the sisters talked negatively, filling their young sister with worries and dark suspicions. They reminded their sister that the Pythian oracle had said she would marry a "direful and tremendous monster!"
They warned Psyche that the rumours about the village said that this husband was only nourishing Psyche and keeping her happy until it was time for him to devour her! They request that Psyche start arming herself with a sharp knife for protection and a lamp by which to see. They tell her to hide these items in her room until her husband's next visit. Psyche was instructed to wait until her husband fell asleep - then to take the lamp and look at him to see whether he was, indeed, and beautiful youth - or rather - a hideous monster:
"...when he is sound asleep, slip out of bed, bring forth your lamp, and see for yourself whether what they say is true or not. If it is, hesitate not to cut off the monster's head, and thereby recover your liberty."
Psyche struggled to erase these thoughts from her mind but they just wouldn't go away. Once her sisters were gone, she couldn't resist playing over in her mind what had been said and suggested. She gathered a knife and lamp and hid them in her room. When her husband fell asleep, she quickly grabbed the lamp and shone it toward him and beheld...
The most beautiful and charming looking God with golden ringlets draped over a snowy white neck and crimson cheeks. She saw two dewy wings at his shoulders, whiter than snow, with shining feathers like the tender blossoms of spring. So taken up by his beauty, Psyche leaned forward with the lamp to gain a better view. A drop of burning oil from the lamp fell on the god's shoulder.
Startled, he opened his eyes and fixed them upon Psyche's face. Without a word, he spread his white wings and flew out the window. So caught up in the moment, Psyche tried to follow. She reached the window and outward toward him and toppled from the window - all the way to the ground...
Friday, June 1, 2007
Did You Guess YET?
Did you figure out, yet, that the Greek mythological tale of Cupid and Psyche is very, VERY much like the more modern, "Beauty and The Beast?"
That's right!
Check out the treatment that Psyche receives after she enters the collosal building, the PALACE - in the story. She is simply awestruck by everything shiny, beautiful, flashy and EXPENSIVE in the palace...and is allowed almost total freedom to gawk, use the objects, wander around...she is even 'waited on' and treated like someone very special.
Isn't this the same kind of treatment that Belle receives in "Beauty And The Beast?" Isn't Belle just taken aback by the wonderful Palace/Castle she is in? And everyone treats her just like a little princess, bringing her sweets and food and music, etc.
See?
Those who thought Mythology was just something silly from the Ancient Greek past can THINK AGAIN!
Mythology literally surges forward right into today's modern Fairy Tales, into our homes, onto our TVs, into our music selections (Remember number one hits on the radio - the theme song for "Beauty and the Beast?").
Mythology and Stories of many kinds AREN'T JUST FOR KIDS!
Heck, Disney got ANGELA LANSBURY - an extremely accomplished film, theatre and vocal STAR to do vocals, not only for songs, but through an entire CARTOON (animated) of 'Beauty and the Beast.' Then most of the world - mainly ADULTS - requested that many parts of the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack be played on popular radio for MONTHS! People select songs from the animated Beauty and the Beast soundtrack STILL TODAY - for their graduations, sweet 16 birthday parties and even at WEDDINGS!
How's THAT for influence from the Greeks...trickling down in NO SMALL WAY from mythological beginnings?
That's right!
Check out the treatment that Psyche receives after she enters the collosal building, the PALACE - in the story. She is simply awestruck by everything shiny, beautiful, flashy and EXPENSIVE in the palace...and is allowed almost total freedom to gawk, use the objects, wander around...she is even 'waited on' and treated like someone very special.
Isn't this the same kind of treatment that Belle receives in "Beauty And The Beast?" Isn't Belle just taken aback by the wonderful Palace/Castle she is in? And everyone treats her just like a little princess, bringing her sweets and food and music, etc.
See?
Those who thought Mythology was just something silly from the Ancient Greek past can THINK AGAIN!
Mythology literally surges forward right into today's modern Fairy Tales, into our homes, onto our TVs, into our music selections (Remember number one hits on the radio - the theme song for "Beauty and the Beast?").
Mythology and Stories of many kinds AREN'T JUST FOR KIDS!
Heck, Disney got ANGELA LANSBURY - an extremely accomplished film, theatre and vocal STAR to do vocals, not only for songs, but through an entire CARTOON (animated) of 'Beauty and the Beast.' Then most of the world - mainly ADULTS - requested that many parts of the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack be played on popular radio for MONTHS! People select songs from the animated Beauty and the Beast soundtrack STILL TODAY - for their graduations, sweet 16 birthday parties and even at WEDDINGS!
How's THAT for influence from the Greeks...trickling down in NO SMALL WAY from mythological beginnings?
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