Members-only podcast episode
Storytime: The Tale of Cupid and Psyche
This is a special podcast episode for SHWEP members only
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Smack-dab in the middle of Apuleius’ Metamorphoses lies the Tale of Cupid and Psyche, one part fairy-tale, one part metaphysical allegory. The story in some ways echoes the larger narrative of Apuleius’ novel as a whole. It was hugely influential in western Christendom, read as an allegory of the soul’s journey through the trials and tribulations of incarnation in the material world. But it also played a more subterranean role in the history of esoteric Platonism in its polytheistic form down the ages.
Enjoy.
Works Discussed in this Episode:
Thomas Taylor trans. Apuleius’ Golden Ass or the Metamorphosis, and other Philosophical Writings. Number XIV in The Thomas Taylor Series. Prometheus Trust, Westbury, 2014.
James Lomas
November 22, 2019
I loved shwep story time! Particularly mix of quotes and pure story telling. You moved the story along in the best way without missing the florid details.
After seeing their statue in Amsterdam, I had tried to understand the story of Cupid and Psyche, but I did not get it. At all.
And now I see that it is Platonist allegory as I could only have hoped. What fun!
Venus was the only motherless god, I believe. Empedocles’ cosmogony involved her in a cycle of Love-Strife. That cycle of tension and joy is strongly present in all good narratives. But that is the main philosophy of love I’m aware of.
Phil Blank
December 1, 2019
Another vote for more storytime. Very useful to get your perspective on these. Many thanks.
Kenneth Selens
June 14, 2020
My vote for more SHWEP storytime in the future is an emphatic yea
Mathias Warnes
September 16, 2021
Can this shwep storytime go nonmembers perhaps? I’m sure a lot of instructors of classical mythology, myself included, would just love to be able to share this one with their students. All they want is storytime at times, and this delivers 10x better than what’s out there on this tale. Bravo!
Earl Fontainelle
September 16, 2021
Mathias,
Just download it and give it to your students. Probably a workable compromise?
Mathias Warnes
September 16, 2021
Great idea! Only with your permission of course.
Earl Fontainelle
September 17, 2021
Go for it.
Margi
October 9, 2023
Totally enthralled! More SCHWEP storytime, please!