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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2010
The Cupid and Psyche episode in the Metamorphoses of Apuleius is rightly viewed as an escape from the novel's ‘real world’. But that does not of course prevent it from saying serious things about the nature of love and the psychology of the lovers. My aim in this article is to argue that the Cupid who removes Psyche to an earthly paradise (5.1–2.2) is just as much in need of an emotional education as she is. Indeed, initially Psyche could well have been better off with ‘the lowest of mankind’ with whom Venus had instructed him to ensnare her (4.31.3). For her, Cupid may in fact prove at the outset to be the malum (evil) of Apollo's sinister prophecy (4.33.1).
* I am grateful to E. J. Kenney and S. J. Heyworth and the anonymous reviewer for G&R for their responses to drafts of this article. Professor Kenney has kindly given his permission to make use of his translation of Cupid and Psyche.