Woven into the graceful folds of Greek mythology, are the classic concepts, motifs, and markings which Western civilization has adopted as its own. The Greeks possessed an inherent joy and adoration for the arts.
Despite the passage of centuries, Greek literature has retained its freshness and relevance, its ability to pierce to the heart of human situations in matters of love or war. On most subjects, the Greeks said it first and said it well. The story of Cupid and Psyche is no exception. This is clearly a romance that has transcended time. Images of this couple are still depicted on modern day posters and on most Valentine’s card.
In order to truly appreciate the various paintings depicting this love-story, one must first understand the key elements of the myth. As with most tales, there are a few different renditions of the story. Psyche was the daughter of a king and queen who had become famous for her unparalleled beauty. Men and women came from far and near to see this young virgin. They hailed her as a “goddess”.
These praises were once only bestowed upon the immortals – in particular, Venus, the goddess of love grew quite envious. In response, she complained to her son, Cupid. She asked him to “infuse into the bosom of that haughty girl a passion for some low, mean, unworthy being, so that she may reap a mortification as great as her present exultation and triumph.” (Bulfinch, 6) Cupid had every intention of appeasing his mother; however, once he had set eyes on Psyche, he too had fallen captive to her beauty and charm.
In fact, he would watch her sleep at night and flee her bedside by dawn religiously.However, Psyche was unaware of this secret admiration from Cupid. Ironically, she and her parents were hoping for a wedding proposal. But none came. Finally, they consulted the oracle of Apollo who revealed Psyche’s destiny. “No mortal man would be Psyche’s husband – instead, she must be abandoned upon a cliff where a monster would claim her as his bride.” (Bulfinch,8).
And so they obeyed. When they arrived at the cliff, soft winds carried Psyche off to a magical palace which she was told belonged to her. These same winds provided her with anything she needed and wanted. However, she had not met her husband. He would come to her at night and inspire her with love and passion.
When she begged to see his face, he denied with the words “Do you not know me by my touch? … Do you not trust our love? … Never ask me again, dearest Psyche, or I will have to leave you.” (Bulfinch,8) Psyche accepted the terms of their relationship for quite some time. But when she learned that she was pregnant, her curiosity overwhelmed her – she had to see her lover’s face.
So, that night when he came to her as usual, she waited until he was asleep and then she lit a lantern. Much to her surprise, she did not see a monster, but rather a god – a magnificent god.
He had ‘golden curls’, a gentle face with ‘child-like innocence’, and ‘feathered wings’. At his bare feet, she saw his bow and arrows. Suddenly, Cupid was wakened by a drop of hot oil, from the lantern onto his shoulder. He flew away from Psyche at once. In an effort to follow Cupid, Psyche had fallen unconscious. By the time she had awakened, she was no longer in her palace but in a barren field with no form of life present. She searched everywhere for her husband. After learning of what had transpired, Venus set out to make Psyche suffer.
And so she did, with many tests and punishments. In the meantime, Cupid was recovering from his wound, and growing desperate with the absence of his one, true love – Psyche. He begged Zeus, the king of the gods, to allow the union of Psyche and him. Zeus, in turn persuaded Venus to invite Psyche into their heavens. Psyche was given a drink of Ambrosia, which endowed her with eternal immortality, and most importantly, eternity with Cupid. In time, Psyche and Cupid had their daughter and named her Pleasure.
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In The Abduction of Psyche, there appears to be an aura of romance. The background is bursting with light, as if dawn has just fully broken. This signals that Psyche’s abduction is the final one – where she is about to enter and reside amongst the world of gods and goddesses.
There is an overwhelming presence of the wind, which is conveyed by Psyche’s side-swept hair, and the twirling yards of cloth about them. Traditionally, abduction is the fate of helpless maidens; therefore the idea of ‘abduction’ is usually negative.
However, Psyche’s abduction is reflected as a mutual ascension of two lovers embracing each other in their nudity and union with nature. Although, Psyche covers her breasts, it is more likely that it is just a girlish attempt at retaining her dignity, as opposed to embarrassed restraint. Clearly it is her only desire to be with Cupid for eternity.
by Sharrell E. Gibson
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