The Myth of Psyche
In our online class we managed to discuss the first few questions regarding the story of psychology. Many interesting questions have stayed unanswered, so choose one or a few that inspire you, and give comments on them.
The Story of Shvetaketu
The story of Svetaketu from Chandogya Upanisad was composed eight or seven centuries BC, so it describes an ancient world we don't know almost anything about. However, is there anything in this story that might be applied to the modern times? If yes, please expound.
What is the symbolism of the fact that Psyche's father abandoned her on the hilltop?
ReplyDeleteThat position is symbolic because that is exactly where she was in the terms of society and thanks to her beauty. A Greek princess born with astonishing beauty that made everyone, especially men, to admire from afar as a divine entity, unapproachable and intimidating.
How did Cupid feel after disobeying his mother Venus?
He knew there will be troubles knowing Venus' fiery nature and envy towards that mortal woman, but he did according to his wishes and instincts ready to risk.
Since you and Nevena have been the first to answer the questions, I will count your answers as correct and assign them one point each. However, your answers should be broader, more personalized, you may develop a full paragraph with original ideas or opinions. Just for the sake of future inputs, take some time to think about the theme you are writing about, then develop the answer more than you have done this time. Thank you Duska.
DeleteAnswer to question 10:
ReplyDeletePsyche felt that others saw her just as a doll to gaze at. Everyone worshiped her and admired her beauty, but no one truly loved her. Over time, she began to hate her beauty.
Thank you Nevena, please take a look at my comment given to Duska.
DeleteQuestion 17:
ReplyDeletePeople get bored of things they get used to. The more people know something, the more plain it becomes. After that, they look for new kind of stimulation. New books, hobbies, friends, music, etc. But it gets very interesting once something is forbidden. Why is that? Why do we get drawn to something or someone that is marked as ''prohibited’’? The more something is pulled away from us, the more we want to find everything about it. We look at it like it is some kind of mystery, a riddle, an enigma, that needs to be solved, explored, looked at. Especially with people. We love the one person we can’t have and often neglect people we are allowed to love and be with, because they are available to us. Psyche was interested in Cupid because she couldn’t see him, couldn’t reveal the mystery veil that was around him, nor even meet him. She knew that there must be a reason why he only comes at night, but she had to know why. Just like Adam and Eve and ''the forbidden fruit’’ which now people say is the sweetest. Only things we can’t reach are important and intrigue us. But once we reach ''the forbidden thing’’ it becomes known, uninteresting and we get used to it. It is not new, banned nor peculiar. Getting to know something strange is the fun part of it all. The whole process of unravelling the mystery is what makes the forbidden thing look so appealing.
Question 27:
In the Psyche myth we have a parallel between Venus, goddess of love and Psyche, a mortal person with great beauty. One is looked at as a romantic love symbol, the other is looked at with admiration and with awe. Venus is not just a goddess of love, but a goddess of sex, fertility, prosperity and beauty. On the other hand, Psyche was looked at and admired, not like a sex symbol or a something that can be loved, but a beautiful creature that turns heads and leaves others speechless. In a modern world we can make the same parallel. There are beautiful people that feel too pure and innocent to be touched and ruined by love and there are other people who are attractive, seductive, hot, as it is usually said, and often viewed as sex symbols. This analogy is, however, mostly applied to women. There are women who look pure and pretty and women who look sexy. This way of thinking is mostly used by men, but it is not entirely something I agree with. Of course, women could be separated in those two categories, but there is no point in grouping women based on looks or defining them by it. Everyone should be looked at as human beings who are all beautiful in their own unique way and beauty definitely shouldn’t affect the way we treat them.
Thank you Bobana!
DeleteQuestion 2:
ReplyDeleteIs psychology about crazy people?
When I first heard the word psychology, I thought it was mainly about “crazy people” or mental illness. But the more I’ve learned, the more I see psychology as something much deeper. It’s not just about disorders, it’s about exploring the two big dimensions of being human and those are the mind and the soul. Psychology looks at how our minds work in a ways like how we think, feel, and behave but it also connects to the soul-like side of us, for example: our emotions, purposes and the way we make meaning out of life. Although it studies things like anxiety or depression, it also dives into everyday topics like love, motivation, memory, habits, and relationships.
For me, that’s what makes psychology fascinating. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken, it’s actually about understanding the whole person. Both the mind and the soul, shape us into who we are. So my final answer would be no, psychology cares about “normal”people just as much as it does for “crazy” people :).
Thank you Aleksa
DeleteQuestion 30:
ReplyDeleteModern psychology consists of two fields: philosophy (the first field) and science (the second). Philosophy is not concerned only with humans, it deals with life and relationships in society, while science provides ways to test, study, and measure perception and sensitivity. In my summary, I think philosophy helps us think deeply about life, our actions, and how we connect with other people. It makes us ask questions about what is important and what gives life meaning. Science, on the other hand, gives us practical ways to observe and understand human behavior and perception, so we can see how people really think and feel. Together, philosophy and science work side by side to help us understand the mind and human experience in a full and balanced way, combining ideas with real evidence to understand ourselves and the world around us better.
Thank you Boris
DeleteQuestion 15:
ReplyDeleteWhat did Psyche's sisters think about her marriage?
When Psyche’s sisters visited her and saw the luxury of her hidden palace, they couldn’t believe that she had found such happiness. They were envious and suspicious of her marriage. Also, they grew jealous and began to doubt the nature of her husband, especially because Psyche had never seen him. Her sisters told her that he must be a terrible monster who was only pretending to love her. Their thoughts were not based on truth, but on jealousy and insecurity. Their reaction shows how envy can cloud people’s judgment and damage relationships. Instead of being happy for their sister, they let jealousy take control.
Question 16:
What kind of action did they take, and why?
Motivated by jealousy and a desire to bring Psyche down to their level, her sisters took manipulative actions. They convinced Psyche to betray the trust of her mysterious husband by urging her to hide a lantern and a knife near her bed, so that the next time he visited her, she could see if he was a monster. As a result of this betrayal, Psyche broke the rule of never seeing her husband’s face, which led to the end of their peaceful life together. By their selfish actions, Psyche's sisters caused her pain just to satisfy their own envy.
Thank you Ivana
DeleteDear Professor Andrijašević,
ReplyDeleteHere is my assignment.
Question 23: What was Zeus’s role in the story of Cupid and Psyche?
Answer: In the story of Cupid and Psyche, Zeus played an important role at the end of the myth. After Psyche had completed all the difficult tasks set by Venus and proven her devotion, Cupid pleaded with Zeus to intervene. Zeus showed mercy and decided to grant Psyche immortality by giving her ambrosia, the drink of the gods. This act allowed Psyche to live forever as Cupid’s divine wife, officially uniting the mortal and the god. Through Zeus’s decision, the love between Psyche and Cupid was validated and made eternal.
From my perspective, Zeus’s role feels very symbolic. To me, it shows that even the highest authority among the gods recognized the strength of Psyche’s love and perseverance. I like to think of it as a reminder that true love and dedication can reach a level that deserves respect from everyone, even the most powerful. For me, Zeus’s intervention is not only the resolution of the conflict, but also proof that struggles and hardships can be rewarded in the end if one stays faithful and determined.
Question 24: What is the symbolism of soul and love?
Answer: The symbolism of soul and love in the story of Psyche and Eros is deeply connected to the meaning of their names. In Greek, “Psyche” means soul, and “Eros” represents love. Their union symbolizes the eternal bond between the human soul and divine love. Psyche’s trials and suffering can be seen as the struggles of the soul in search of love and immortality, while her eventual union with Eros shows that true love is transformative, elevating the soul to a divine state. In the end, when Zeus grants Psyche immortality, it confirms that the soul and love are meant to exist together eternally.
From my perspective, this symbolism feels very powerful and timeless. To me, the story suggests that love is not just a fleeting emotion but a force that shapes and strengthens the soul. I see Psyche’s perseverance as a metaphor for how love requires patience, sacrifice, and trust, but also how it rewards us with growth. The idea that the soul can only find its full meaning when united with love resonates with me personally, because it reflects the way love gives life depth and purpose beyond just the everyday struggles.
Question 25: Who was Pleasure?
Answer: In the story of Psyche and Eros, Pleasure was the daughter they had together after their eternal union. Once Zeus granted Psyche immortality and joined her in marriage to Eros, their love produced a child, a goddess named Pleasure. She represents the natural outcome of the union between the soul - Psyche and love - Eros. Symbolically, their daughter embodies joy, delight, and fulfillment, showing that when the soul and love are joined, the result is true happiness and harmony.
From my perspective, the figure of Pleasure makes perfect sense as the “child” of love and the soul. I see her as a reminder that genuine joy is not something superficial, but something that grows when love and the soul are in balance. To me, this part of the myth suggests that lasting pleasure in life is not about temporary satisfaction, but about the deeper happiness that comes from love that nourishes the soul. It feels inspiring because it shows that when we nurture both our inner selves and our relationships, the natural reward is joy.
Best regards,
Jovana Mićanović 1800/24
Thank you, Jovana
Delete16. Did Psyche follow the piece of advice her sisters had given her?
ReplyDeletePsyche felt lonely in the large mansion where she lived, so she asked her sisters to come and visit her. When they arrived and saw the beauty of her home, they were overcome with envy and jealousy. Out of spite, they warned her to be cautious of her husband, suggesting that he might be some kind of monster. They advised her to keep a lamp and a knife at hand so that the next time he came to her, she could uncover his true identity.
Psyche listened to them and did exactly as they had told her. When her husband visited her, she lit the lamp and revealed his face. To her surprise, he was not a monster at all, but the god Eros. At that moment, Eros felt deeply disappointed and betrayed by her lack of trust and he left her.
The reason why Psyche obeyed her sisters was, from my perspective, quite natural. We all tend to trust the people we believe have our best interests at heart. Our confidence in them is often unwavering, especially when they are members of our own family, our blood. We rarely suspect that they might wish us harm. Unfortunately, Psyche’s sisters did not act out of love or concern. They were blinded by jealousy and envy, and so they planted doubt in her mind.
Those kinds of betrayals are the ones that hurt the most, because they are unexpected and because of the love we feel for the person who commits them. Unfortunately, we can all find many examples of this in our own surroundings. People need to rise above petty feelings such as envy, jealousy, and malice, and instead be guided by higher emotions. As Maslow believed, human beings are essentially good and capable of growth if guided by love and higher values.
Even though this brought Psyche many troubles, by the will of the gods she managed to rise above them. In the end, she regained Eros’s trust and love, and was granted immortality. So the moral of the story is that love, trust, and faith can overcome everything.
28. Why does pshychology take its name after Psyche?
In mythology, Psyche was known as a mortal woman who fell in love with Eros and was made immortal by Zeus. She is a mythical metaphor for the human soul and mind. Psyche represents the delicate, emotional parts of each of us. When Psyche became immortal, she renewed herself in the collective unconscious and became more present in the hearts of humans.
Early thinkers saw the soul and mind as the most important aspects for understanding human nature, so the term "psyche" was a natural choice to name this emerging field of science that studied emotions, motivations, cognitive processes, and behavior. The word "psychology" comes from ancient Greek, and its etymological meaning can be broken down into two parts:"psyche" – meaning soul, mind, or spirit and “logos" – meaning word, discourse, study, or reason so etymologically, "psychology" means: ‘’the study of the soul" or "the study of the mind.
Maša Raičević (1807/24)
Thank you, Masa!
DeleteQuestion 4: Who was Psyche in the Greek myth?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Psyche was a mortal women of unparalleled beauty. She was one of three sister, princesses in a Grecian kingdom. All there was beautiful but Psyche was the most beautiful. The name Psyche literally means "soul" or "breath of life or "spirit". The name Psyche is related to the english world "psyche", meaning the human mind. Over time, it also came to be associated with the human mind, which is why the world is the root of modern terms like psychology. So, in mythology, Psyche is not just character, she is metaphor for the human souls; it is spiritual, transformative and deeply tied that remind us to essence of who we are. According to my opinion, there is difference between soul and psyche. Soul is more immortal term used in a religious or spiritual context and psyche is term similar to mind, that represent process in our mind like mental life, a system of thought, feeling and motivation or in modern term part of our id, ego or super ego.
Anja Djekic 1824/24
Thank you, Anja!
Delete27. Is beauty admired today as it was in this myth?
ReplyDeleteIn the myth, beauty is portrayed as a powerful and almost divine force, capable of drawing pilgrims away from the temples of Venus and changing the balance between mortals and gods. Today, beauty is still greatly admired, though in different forms. Instead of being connected to religious or mythical devotion, is often celebrated in media, fashion, and popular culture. While modern admiration may lack the sacred quality it had in the myth, it continues to hold significant influence over people’s attention, values, and even their sense of identity.
28. Why does psychology take its name after Psyche?
Psychology takes its name from Psyche because in Greek, the word "psyche" means both "soul" and "consciousness." The myth of Psyche symbolizes the human soul’s journey of trials, growth, and transformation. By adopting her name, psychology acknowledges its focus on the study of the human mind, emotions, and inner experiences—the very qualities Psyche represents in the myth.
29. What are Psyche’s qualities?
Psyche is described as exceptionally beautiful, but her qualities go beyond physical appearance. She shows perseverance, courage, and determination by completing the difficult tasks set by Venus. She also demonstrates vulnerability, curiosity, and deep love, as seen in her desire to reunite with Eros. Symbolically, Psyche embodies the delicate and feeling parts of human nature, representing consciousness and the essence of the soul.
30. Which are the two fields modern psychology emerged from?
Modern psychology emerged from two main fields: philosophy and physiology. From philosophy, psychology inherited its concern with the nature of the mind, consciousness, and human behavior. From physiology, it adopted the scientific methods and interest in the functioning of the brain and nervous system. Together, these fields provided the foundation for psychology as a modern discipline that studies both the soul-like aspects of human experience and their biological basis.
Katarina Klikovac, 1828/24
Thank you, Katarina!
DeleteDear Professor,
ReplyDeleteHere is my answer for question 7: Is it realistic that such a beautiful and good young woman as Psyche was married to a detestable, undeserving husband?
I would say that it's not enough to question whether it's realistic or not, because in mythology that type of situation could easily happen (as it did). However, it has to be justified.
Why is, that such a woman of surreal beauty ends up being married to a 'monster'? Is it to highlight the character and personality of the said monster? Is it to show us that the materialistic side of that person is enough for a girl to overlook his physical appearance? Is it to show how gullible Psyche was when it came to the advice her sisters gave her?
On the other hand, Eros also had his reasons for hiding himself from her eyes. The potential anger from his mother Venus, the need for Psyche to love him for him and not his immortality, maybe even his own little insecurity about himself, are holding him back from revealing his true identity to the woman he likes.
Of course, we have to take into consideration that these are plot twists of mythology, as well as 'testing' the main character being highly present. Not to mention that, in this case, the beauty of the mentioned husband is based simply on a variety of whispers, thoughts and intentions and no one had actually seen him.
So, I do think that a marriage between Psyche and said ugly husband is realistic. Dare I say, it was a must in a way, to show the wavering of human nature, the influence one community can have on an individual, to show the prejudices arising from emotions like jealousy, how the individual (Psyche) chooses between finding herself or being the version others push her to be and finally, taking the matter into her own hands and being responsible for her future.
Kind regards,
Julija Mijušković 1809/24
Thank you, Julija
Delete