Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Prelude
- PART I THE MIND DIVIDED
- 2 The rage of Aphrodite: The vertical mind
- 3 The marriage of death: Ascent and loss in development
- 4 Night and day: Reason and gender
- PART II THE MIND RESTORED
- Appendix: List of goddesses, gods, other mythological figures, and sacred sites
- Notes
- References
- Author index
- Subject index
4 - Night and day: Reason and gender
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 July 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Prelude
- PART I THE MIND DIVIDED
- 2 The rage of Aphrodite: The vertical mind
- 3 The marriage of death: Ascent and loss in development
- 4 Night and day: Reason and gender
- PART II THE MIND RESTORED
- Appendix: List of goddesses, gods, other mythological figures, and sacred sites
- Notes
- References
- Author index
- Subject index
Summary
As Psyche sat trembling and weeping on the crag, a soft breeze suddenly raised her up. Gently Zephyr, the west wind, carried her down the cliff and lay her in a soft grassy place. A deep sleep came over Psyche but when she woke, she beheld a lovely grove, with a fountain of water and a palace behind a glistening stream. So beautiful a dwelling it was, she knew it must be the abode of a god. Entering it, she found treasures and heard wondrous music. The voices of spirits began to tend to her in the most exquisite manner, offering her refreshments and entertainment. Psyche eventually went to her bed, for the hour was late.
But as she lay on her bed in the dark, a visitor entered, lay down next to her, and made Psyche his bride. Then, before the dawn rose in the east, he departed in haste. Psyche shook with fear at first, but soon what seemed strange became a source of delight to her. Every night her husband clasped her to his body, and every day he flew away before the rise of dawn.
But as time passed, Psyche grew restless in her luxurious setting. She longed for her sisters whom she had not seen in a long time. She fell into mourning, refusing food and drink, and implored her husband to yield to her wishes and let her sisters come visit. But Eros pleaded with her not to yield to her curiosity, for he feared that the sisters would incite Psyche to wonder about his identity.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Psyche and ErosMind and Gender in the Life Course, pp. 115 - 158Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1994