Psyche Research Paper

The myth of Psyche and Eros has many variants and one cannot pick out the true form of the story. The myth begins with Psyche, the most beautiful woman in the Grecian kingdom. Many men were entranced by Psyche’s beauty and would do anything to see her. This made Aphrodite, goddess of beauty, jealous. Aphrodite sent her son Eros, also known as Cupid, down to Earth to ensure that all men would not desire Psyche. Some variations of the story say that he saw her beauty and felt remorse for what he had done to her; therefore, he gave her a potion that guaranteed her life would be joyful. When Psyche’s parents realized that men no longer desired her as a wife, they consulted an oracle who informed them that no man would ever marry her. The oracle told them there was a beast that lived in seclusion on a mountain that would marry her, but she would never be allowed to see his face. Due to her kind and joyful nature, Psyche was delighted that she would have a husband, despite the fact that she would never see him in the light. After a prolonged time alone on the mountain, Psyche invited her sisters to visit. They were amazed by the wealth that was displayed in the home and became jealous. Out of spite they told Psyche that she must look at the face of her …show more content…
Aphrodite gave Psyche three impossible tasks to complete before she would release Psyche’s husband from the prison where she was holding him. Psyche set out to do the requested tasks, which would have been impossible if she would not have received help from Eros, who sent down many creatures to aide her in her journey. Aphrodite became angry that Psyche was completing the impossible tasks. The final task was to go to the Underworld and bring back a box that contained the elixir of beauty. She was forbidden to open the box, but did so regardless, due to her curious nature. Upon opening the box she fell into a deep