Reading Diary B: Cupid and Psyche

I really enjoyed reading the second half of Cupid and Psyche; the storyline moved along quite nicely, and I loved learning about each of the tasks that Psyche was required to perform. That being said...

One of my favorite episodes of the story was Venus and Psyche. In this particular scene, Psyche is assigned her first task by Venus. The task of having to sort out each of the grains, I thought, was a very interesting and daunting choice. It gave the audience a sense of rational of the difficult of the task in which Venus gave Psyche. I also think that her first task was an indication of just how hard each task in the future would be as well. And knowing that there just couldn't possibly be one task...

I really enjoyed reading Psyche's Next Task. It was really interesting to me that Venus's anger continued growing at the expense of Psyche's success. It seems as though Psyche's minor misfortunes throughout the story would lead the audience to believe that Psyche would be unsuccessful in completing the tasks. However, because Psyche is able to perform each task she is given with great ease, it drives the storyline along quite nicely by building up the envy and rage within Venus. I liked the quote: "Yet her success at this second dangerous task garnered no favour in her mistress’ eyes" because it subtly demonstrates the feeling of anger in the goddess of love.

Another one of my favorite episodes was The Jar of Beauty. Psyche's trip to the underworld to meet Proserpine was such an interesting read. I couldn't believe that Psyche's first thought in order to make it to the underworld was to jump off of the cliff because she thinks that is her only way there. However, seeing that her luck seems to be increasing with each task she performs, I knew there was most likely another way for her to accomplish her task. At the end of the episode when she finally is able to capture the jar, I thought it was really interesting when she said “I’m foolish to be the bearer of such divine beauty and not take a tiny drop of it for myself. It might even help me please my beautiful lover.” Throughout the entire story, the author is constantly referencing Psyche's beauty and poise. However, she unable to see just how truly beautiful she is, and by saying this quote, it shows the type of character Psyche is. No matter how beautiful and how fawned over she was, she still felt as though she should open up the jar of beauty and "take some for herself."

(Psyche opening up the box of beauty)