<p>This dissertation is a careful study of characterization in the Cupid and Psyche episode (IV.28 - VI.24) in Apuleius’ <em>Metamorphoses</em>. In general, although the <em>Metamorphoses</em> has been the subject of a good deal of scholarly interest as of late, there has previously been minimal focused examination of characterization in the Cupid and Psyche section. This dissertation therefore represents an important contribution to current scholarship and uses a multi-faceted approach which includes investigation of the characters’ relationships to one another, roles, function, speech, intertextual connections, and questions of genre and authorial technique.</p> <p>After a brief discussion of preliminaries such as the scope of the study, methodology, and the isolation of the Cupid and Psyche narrative from the rest of the novel, Chapter One examines the minor characters of the episode. The minor characters are defined and then placed into five groups for analysis: the invisible servants, the personifications of the abstract concepts, the floral and faunal characters, the animate object, and the deities. Chapter Two addresses the role of Psyche’s family in the narrative, covering her parents’ small but important contribution and her sisters in their larger role as Psyche’s secondary adversaries. Chapters Three, Four, and Five investigate the characterization of Venus, Cupid, and Psyche respectively. The Conclusion summarizes the larger picture of Apuleius and his approach to characterization and reviews some of his favorite techniques of characterization, as well as his approach to the characterization of females.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

(in English): Only one of many Ancient Roman novels that were written during antiquity has survived to this day. Apuleius' Metamorphoses could have easily been lost too as it was overlooked by the Carolingian renaissance and at one point existed only in a single copy. Luckily it was found and rediscovered for the Italian Renaissance by one of the so called bookhunters in the 14th century. After that it did not cease to inspire many works of art from literature to paintings. The story of Cupid and Psyche that comes from this book was used to decorate many representational rooms from the early Renaissance on, until at least the 19th century. It seems to have been especially popular at the court of Rudolf II and it represents one of the typical mythological themes with a strong erotic potential. We can trace its roots to Italy where the novel was brought back to the literary scene. The most important visual sources, that played at least an equally important role in the dissemination of the motive through Europe as literature, also come from Italy. Especially Rome and Raphael's frescos in villa the Farnesina influenced generations of Italian as well as foreign artists. Bartholomeus Spranger, Joseph Heintz and other future court artists of Rudolf II were no exception. The antique city and antique novel...

Le roman Les Métamorphoses d'Apulée se distingue par les nombreux récits insérés qu’il contient et qui interrompent fréquemment la trame principale. Ces histoires étaient probablement déjà présentes en partie dans le roman grec qui a servi de source à Apulée, les Μεταμορφώσεις. Cependant, ce texte ne nous étant parvenu que sous une forme abrégée (l'ὄνος), il demeure difficile de déterminer à quel point la structure de la version latine des Métamorphoses retient de celle de l’original grec. Certes, certains éléments sont facilement attribuables à Apulée, comme le conte de Cupidon et Psyché, ou encore le 11ème et dernier livre du roman. En plus d’être divertissants, ces récits insérés reprennent les thèmes principaux exploités dans le roman, renforçant la cohérence de celui-ci. Par ailleurs, toutes ces histoires secondaires nécessitent l’intervention de plusieurs narrateurs et, en plus de Lucius (personnage et narrateur principal), divers personnages prennent la parole. Enfin, Apulée accorde aussi une grande attention à la perception que ses personnages ont des événements dont ils sont témoins ou des histoires qui leur sont rapportées. À plusieurs reprises, la subjectivité des personnages influence le récit. Ainsi, les histoires insérées des Métamorphoses, qui peuvent donner l’impression que la trame du récit est brouillonne, sont au contraire l’élément le plus original et le mieux développé du roman. / The Metamorphoses of Apuleius is notable for its numerous inserted tales often interrupting the novel’s main plot. These stories were probably already present, at least partly, in the Greek novel that was used as a source by Apuleius, the Μεταμορφώσεις. However this work is lost and only reached us through an epitomized version (Ὄνος), making it difficult to establish just how much the structure of the Latin Metamorphoses retains from its Greek source. Still some elements can be easily attributed to Apuleius, like Cupid and Psyche’s tale or the novel's 11th (and last) book. Besides having an entertaining purpose, these inserted tales share common themes with the main plot, creating a unity within the novel. Furthermore, multiple narrators are required in order to tell all these stories implying that, in addition to Lucius (the novel’s main character and narrator), many characters play an active part in storytelling. Finally, Apuleius pays great attention to his characters’ perception of events they witness or of stories they hear. And at several occasions the characters’ subjectivity influences the storyline. Thus the Metamorphoses’ inserted tales, even though they may at first give a false impression of confusion, should be considered as the most original and most well developed feature of Apuleius’ novel.

Diploma thesis Bc. Anna Fauknerová (2018) Transformationand Adaptation of the Cupid and Psyche Myth in Literature Abstract This thesis deals with the myth of Cupid and Psyche. It is concerned with the version of the myth found in Apulei's novel The Golden Ass as well as in other works such as fairy tales and novels. Some of these other works refer to the myth directly while others' connections to it have not been established and they merely demonstrate similar motifs. The first part of the thesis deals with Apuleius and his text The Golden Ass, which is the oldest surviving version of the myth of Amor and Psyche. The main characteristics of the myth as well as its characters, the story and the meanings that are hidden in it are examined. The character of Psyche and the way her heroism manifests itself are examined in greater detail. The second part of the thesis compares the myth with three fairy tales and three novels based on the conclusions of the previous chapter. The greatest emphasis is placed on the development and adaptation of individual motifs, similarities and disimilarities in content and form and on the way in which the myth is reflected in literature. The third part of the thesis looks at three possible ways of interpreting the myth. Keywords: Cupid, Psyche, myth, fairy tale, motif of light...