Reading Notes: Cupid and Psyche Part B

Reading Notes

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Cupid and Psyche, Part B 

(Venus Chides Cupid, by Giordano) 

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Retelling Ideas

• While this is not an idea for a retelling, I found the author's note above to be quite informative and helpful in understanding Venus' emotions when handling Cupid's betrayal. Even though most would understand falling in love, the actual goddess of love herself had a tormented love life, which lead to reactive emotions whenever she was challenged in any way. So to have her own son lay with the very mortal woman who caused Venus' worshippers to leave their post in order to worship a common woman was an ultimate act of betrayal. 
• Also it is quite interesting to learn the Roman names of the Greek gods and goddesses I am so familiar with.
• Possibly writing the story from the goddess, Juno's (Hera), perspective could prove to be interesting as she is seen as the mother of the gods and goddesses perhaps she knew of the story all along and thought of it as a lesson for her children?
• A comparison to Cinderella can be found in the tasks Venus' calls upon Psyche to do, maybe tell Psyche as a fairytale much like Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast?
• Retell the story from all the animals that have appeared in the story, switching point of view to and from each animal to keep the flow of the story? 
• A funny portion of the story can be seen in Jove's (Zeus) listing of all the ways Cupid has betrayed him whilst Cupid begs for his help. Even though Zeus grants his wishes, perhaps keeping with this theme I retell the story starting with all the wrongs first? 
• Maybe tell the story as a bedtime story for Cupid and Psyche's daughter, Pleasure?

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All reading notes based off of Apuleius' Cupid and Psyche 

as translated into English by Tony Kline (2013).