67 Plender Street
Camden Town, London
NW1 0LB
PLEASE NOTE – THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED
In the second century AD, Apuleius, a Platonic philosopher, retold the myth of Cupid and Psyche in the course of his novel, ‘The Golden Ass.’ We will read passages from the myth, and explore the clear parallels between the trials of Psyche as she loses and regains her union with Cupid (or Eros), and our own experience of descent and ascent as souls “exiled from the orb of light” as understood by the Platonic tradition.
We’re taking two sessions to explore the delightful story and its insights – in this second evening we will look at the second half of the tale in which Psyche reascends towards her lover, is set a series of initiatory tasks, and ultimately finds joyous union with the beautiful son of Aphrodite. Apart from Psyche (the word in Greek means not only “soul” but also “breathe” and “butterfly”), we will consider what the other characters in the story represent – Cupid, Psyche’s sisters and parents, Pan, and Zephyrus.
We will begin with a short summary of the first half of the story and some of the important points raised in the first session – so those who missed the first evening (on February 24th) should be able to pick up the threads.
No previous experience of formal philosophy is required.
Entrance in free, but donations between £3-5 will be welcomed.
A PDF download of the extract we will be reading is available on our website together with further details of this and other Prometheus Trust’s activities: www.prometheustrust.co.uk (the PDF is on the “London Monday Evenings” page.)
Also on the same page of the website is the full text of fable of Cupid and Psyche in a downloadable PDF, for those who are interested in reading the whole story.