# Cupid — The Golden Ass character guide

> Cupid in The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** fair Cupid

**First appearance:** 0011-v

## Snapshot

The winged archer Venus sends to humiliate a mortal girl, whose arrows have a way of landing where his mother never intended.

## Who they are

Cupid is introduced as a rash, lawless boy who runs the night corrupting lawful marriages, and his mother treats him as a weapon she can aim. Yet he is also the god whose own fire can turn back on him, and the story's early arc hinges on whether the archer can be aimed at all. His secret marriage to Psyche, hidden in darkness and forbidden to be seen, is the tale's central gamble between obedience and desire.

## Relationships

### [Psyche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/psyche)

_romantic_

Cupid falls deeply in love with Psyche, secretly marrying her and protecting her from his mother Venus.

### [Venus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/venus)

_family_

Cupid is Venus's son, but their relationship is fraught with conflict due to his defiance of her orders regarding Psyche.

### [Jupiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/jupiter)

_family_

Cupid appeals to his father Jupiter to intervene with Venus and legitimize his marriage to Psyche.

## In the story

### [The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/the-marriage-of-cupid-and-psyche)

The god of love who marries Psyche in a divine ceremony.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxii)

Cupid is the husband of Psyche, revealed as a beautiful god rather than a monster; Jupiter legitimizes their marriage.

### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-vi)

Cupid secretly aids Psyche in her tasks, rescues her from the sleep of the underworld, and pleads with Jupiter to legitimize their union.

### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xliv)

Referenced as the force behind the stepmother's burning desire, described as 'the raging flame of Cupid'.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/cupid
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters