Reading Notes Part B "Cupid and Psyche"

Psyche being idolized above Venus (Source)

The last half of the story of Cupid and Psyche gives the resolution to the story. I thought it was interesting how poor Psyche had to go and care for the altars and shrines at the temples of various gods, but they all rejected her and sided with Venus in her feud with the mortal girl. I have always found it fascinating in Greco-Roman mythology the almost obsession that the divine beings have with their mortal counterparts.
Another interesting plot point was Venus' threatenings to strip Cupid of his power by replacing him with a slave boy. Strange the lengths to go for immortal and supreme-ply powerful gods.
The strangest and most interesting thing that I wanted to read even more about what the whole story with the vial of water from the river styx, and then the vial of the essence of beauty. I was very confused as to what that was referring to, so I want to know more about the tension between Persephone and Venus and the rivalry that they have.
Luckily, this story turns out well for Psyche, who escapes ultimately as an immortal and mother of a God. Many times these kinds of stories do not turn out so well for the mortal interlopers.

Story Source: Apuleius and His Golden Ass, Translated by Tony Kline

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