Week 4 Story: Cupid's Mistake
Cupid was suddenly awoken by a faint glow from the lamp, and
opened his eyes just barely, to see Psyche standing over him with a razor. In
an instant he was filled with dread. She had discovered his secret, and now the
happiness he had found with her had to come to an end. He closed his eyes
immediately and hoped that she did not see that he had opened them. She said nothing
to indicate she had, so he lay quietly and considered his options. He felt her
eyes on him, taking in the fact that the god of love was in her bed. He could
hear her looking at all his weapons, and with dread he heard he pick up an
arrow. He knew without watching that she pricked her finger with the tip of an
arrow, and that she was now truly and completely in love with him. She began to
kiss him to wake him, and as he began to stir, a drop of hot oil from the lamp
dropped onto his shoulder. At this, he bolted upright, spread his wings, and
flew away with a look of pain on his face. As he flew, he felt a weight on his
leg, and when he looked down he saw Psyche gripping onto him as he soared high
above the ground. When she grew too tired and fell, Cupid followed her and
landed in a nearby tree. He then explained to her that Venus had told him to
give her a hopeless marriage and make her fall in love with a monster that she
could never see, but he had gone himself instead. And he had warned her, but
she had not listened. He decided that the only thing he could do was leave, and
with that he flew away, tears streaming down his face the moment he turned away
from her.
Author's note: In the original story, though Psyche is not supposed to see her husband, she decides to anyway, despite the consequences. She is shocked and pleased to find that it is Cupid. but because she broke her promise, he has to leave her. I used the same plot, but I told the story from Cupid's perspective instead of Cupid's.
Bibliography: Psyche's Husband Revealed translated by Tony Kline link to online reading
Wow, I also chose to read this story this week and I think you had a great twist on this story. A change of perspectives is always a great way to modify a story and make it more interesting, and I thought it was really creative. I wonder what would have happened if instead of leaving, Cupid would have stayed with Psyche and they would have ended up together. You mentioned in your story that he had a look of pain when he left. Was this pain real? Or was it guilt? You could have developed his characters perspective more through dialogue maybe. Or what if Psyche had struck Cupid with one of his own arrows? I wonder if that would even have an affect on him. But anyways it could have been cool to see a plot twist such as this. Anyway, just throwing out some more ideas. Thanks for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline!The descriptions in your story were amazing! I could imagine the scene from the way you described the actions that were happening. I like that you wrote your story from a different point of view because there’s always multiple sides to a story. You could add dialogue to your story and it would build the scene and emotions even more.
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline! I loved your rendition of this story! I think you did a really good job and it is very well written! I love how you kind of skipped to the end a bit, and the fact you did really added to the "suddenly" effect you had there at the beginning of your story! I also really liked how you made the story from Cupid's perspective instead! In the original story doesn't Psyche eventually win him back? It would have been cool to see a little bit more of how Psyche reacts at the end when he leaves her, and if they are broken up for good or if they get back together or not!
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