Cupid and Psyche

In the introduction to his novel, Apuleius writes that he intends the reader “to feel wonder at the transformations of men’s shapes and destinies into alien forms” (1). Given that metamorphosis means transformation in Latin, it is likely that “Cupid and Psyche” was intended to reflect this larger theme.

Instances of a human turning into an animal, plant, or other living creature occur throughout Greco-Roman art, but the purpose of the transformation differs. In “Cupid and Psyche,” Jupiter complains of the times he has been the recipient of Cupid’s love arrows: “You have transformed my smiling countenance into grisly shapes of snakes, fires, beasts, birds, and cattle” (112), he claims, alluding to myths in which Jupiter takes another shape so he might pursue an earthly maiden. These transformations are for the purpose of deceit—so his wife, Juno, will not discover the affair.

Some mythical transformations occur for protection. One popular tale told how Daphne, a beautiful nymph, begged the gods to save her from the advances of Apollo, and she was turned into a laurel tree. Some transformations were simply tragic. Echo, who appears in “Cupid and Psyche” as a companion to Pan, wasted away for love of a beautiful youth named Narcissus until she subsided into nothing but a