# Psyche — Marius the Epicurean character guide

> Psyche in Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the hapless Psyche

**First appearance:** 0007-part-i-v-the-golden-book

## Who they are

The mythological figure whose story of love and suffering is a recurring allegory in the narrative.

## Relationships

### [Venus Speciosa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/venus_speciosa)

_psychological_

Venus Speciosa, as a divine figure, represents an idealized beauty that Psyche both pursues and is tormented by, embodying a psychological obsession with perfection.

### [Ceres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/ceres)

_social_

Ceres, as a goddess, interacts with Psyche in the mythological narrative, offering aid but also testing her devotion.

### [Zephyrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/zephyrus)

_friendship_

Zephyrus, the west wind, assists Psyche by carrying her to Cupid's palace, acting as a benevolent ally in her trials.

### [Venus Speciosa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/venus_speciosa)

_psychological_

Venus Speciosa, as a divine figure, represents an idealized beauty that Psyche both pursues and is tormented by, embodying a psychological obsession with perfection.

### [Zephyrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/zephyrus)

_friendship_

Zephyrus, the west wind, assists Psyche by carrying her to Cupid's palace, acting as a benevolent ally in her trials.

### [Ceres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/ceres)

_social_

Ceres, as a goddess, interacts with Psyche in the mythological narrative, offering aid but also testing her devotion.

## In the story

### [The Golden Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-i-v-the-golden-book)

The mortal maiden of extraordinary beauty, subject of Venus's jealousy and the heroine of the embedded narrative.

### [Euphuism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-i-vi-euphuism)

Psyche is the central figure in the episode from Apuleius, embodying a tremulous hope and the hiddenness of perfect things, which Marius reflects upon.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/psyche
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters