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Beastly Bridegrooms

Housekeeping:

• Visual Media Project Due 10 February 2014

 

Agenda 

Beastly Bridegrooms Group 6 Hearne Visualizing the Beast "Cupid and Psyche": "East of the Sun and West of the Moon": "Bluebeard": Discussion Questions

 

 

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Group 6 Hearne

 

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Visualizing the Beast

 

The Beast is (arguably) one of the most interesting supporting characters in the fairy tale tradition. Unlike the two-dimensional Prince Charming, the Beast is a complex character seeking a human connection. Beginning with the ancient "Eros and Psyche," the Beast is characterized by a growing awareness of a need for an interpersonal relationship (with Beauty) that exceeds the physical. The Greeks do not even have a word to express this revolutionary interpersonal heterosexual union, so they do it with a narrative: "Eros and Psyche" (literally "Sexual Desire and Soul"). 

 

"Cupid and Psyche":

• Author: Lucius Apulcius
• Date: Second Century A.D.
• Genre: Myth 
• Place (of Publication): Roman Empire   

 

"Cupid and Psyche" is the most well known story in Lucius Apulcius' novel The Golden Ass (A.D. 150-180). It is the only complete novel from the Classical era that survives today. 

•      Within the frame story of The Golden Ass, this story is told by a female story teller. Is that significant in this story about rivalry between a lover and a mother?
• Who are the main characters in this story? Who has power (and what is power)?
• How is romantic love portrayed?
• How are gender roles significant?
• What is the PURPOSE of this story?  

 

 

 

 

 

"The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche." Andrea Schiavone (ca. 1510-1563). Ceiling Fresco (Italy)

• What does this fresco emphasize about the Cupid and Psyche Myth?

 

 

 

"Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss." Antonio Canova (early 1800s). Marble. Venice.

• What element of the "Cupid and Psyche" myth does this statue emphasize? 

 

"Cupid and Psyche." Jacques-Louis David. Ca 1817. France.

• How does this oil painting reflect the myth of "Cupid and Psyche"? What does it emphasize?  
• This oil painting was made by the famous David after the Restoration (of the monarchy) in France.
• Post-French Revolution and Post-Napoleon Bonaparte
• David was the "official" painter of the French Revolution (he painted the Revolutionaries and helped coreograph events), he was also an important painter of Bonaparte (in heroic, imperial poses).
• How could this painting (and this theme) be related to the changing circumstances?

 

"Cupid and Psyche." Narcisse Guerin. Early 1800s, France.

• How does this painting modify and reflect the myth of Cupid and Psyche?  

 

"East of the Sun and West of the Moon":

• Author: Peter Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe
• Date: 1849
• Genre: Fairy Tale
• Place (of Publication): Norway   

 

"Bluebeard":

• Author: Charles Perrault
• Date: 1697
• Genre: Fairy Tale
• Place (of Publication): France

 

Discussion Questions 

• How do images of the "beast" Eros (Cupid) compare with beasts in other variations of "Beauty and the Beast"?
• What does the Beast symbolize in these different illustrations? Different literary tales?
• What attributes does the Beast posses?
• What does the Beast seek? 
• How does the Beast represent gender differentiation in heteronormative romances?  
• How is punishment a part of the Beauty and the Beast narrative?
• How is the Beast punished?
• Who punishes him?
• How is Beauty punished?
• Who punishes her?
• What are their respective "crimes"?  
• How does the CLASS (socioeconomic) message of the ATU 425 tale shift in the different variations we've read?