THE legend of Cupid and Psyche has been the subject of a learned work by Rohde, called Psyche; it has been examined by W. A. Clouston in his Popular Tales and Fictions (i. 205), and in a lighter vein by A. Lang in Custom and Myth, and in his preface to the reprint of Adlington's version. It would be out of place to deal with the matter at any length here; but the salient points may be indicated. Whilst the tale as a whole is essentially Greek in its delicacy and charm, nor can a like sequence of incidents be found elsewhere, it has been compounded of elements which are of great antiquity and often bear the stamp of a primitive age. Chief amongst these are: (1) the mysterious husband; (2) the forbidden privilege; (3) the impossible tasks; and (4) the helpful beasts.
THE legend of Cupid and Psyche has been the subject of a learned work by Rohde, called Psyche; it has been examined by W. A. Clouston in his Popular Tales and Fictions (i. 205), and in a lighter vein by A. Lang in Custom and Myth, and in his preface to the reprint of Adlington's version. It would be out of place to deal with the matter at any length here; but the salient points may be indicated. Whilst the tale as a whole is essentially Greek in its delicacy and charm, nor can a like sequence of incidents be found elsewhere, it has been compounded of elements which are of great antiquity and often bear the stamp of a primitive age. Chief amongst these are: (1) the mysterious husband; (2) the forbidden privilege; (3) the impossible tasks; and (4) the helpful beasts.