The Golden Ass · Character

Venus

Goddess of love who cannot bear a mortal rival to her beauty, and sets her winged son to punish the girl the crowds call Venus.

supporting

Also known as very Venus, new Venus

First appearance: v

As a supporting figure in The Golden Ass, Venus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The goddess of love, mother of Cupid, who eventually reconciles with Psyche.

In the storyThe Marriage of Cupid and PsycheOpen this moment free

See Venus in The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche Book page

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Venus rules the world's desire until a king's daughter, Psyche, begins receiving the garlands and prayers meant for her; the insult curdles into a rage she cannot temper. She is not a distant Olympian but a jealous proprietor of her own name, and she arms Cupid with a mother's plea and a specific cruelty: let the girl love the most wretched creature alive. Her persecution sets the whole tale in motion, turning Psyche's beauty from a blessing into a sentence.

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The fuller portrait of Venus sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Venus in v

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Venus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Family
Professional
Other

Character groups

Cupid and Psyche cast
Infidelity and deception
Mythological and supporting figures

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the psychological peak of Lucius's terror and desperation…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Psyche
rivalry · negative
Venus, jealous of Psyche's beauty, persecutes her with cruel tasks and relentless… How this plays out →
Cupid
family · negative
Mercury
professional · negative
Jupiter
family · ambivalent
Jupiter
family · ambivalent

Psyche
Venus, jealous of Psyche's beauty, persecutes her with cruel tasks and relentless hostility.
Cupid
Cupid is Venus's son, but their relationship is fraught with conflict due to his defiance of her orders regarding Psyche.
Mercury
Mercury acts as Venus's herald, proclaiming a reward for the capture of the runaway Psyche.
Jupiter
Jupiter and Venus are father and daughter, and he ultimately overrules her wrath to bless Cupid and Psyche's union.
Jupiter
Jupiter and Venus are father and daughter, and he ultimately overrules her wrath to bless Cupid and Psyche's union.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Venus in v

In the story

Venus appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche
The goddess of love, mother of Cupid, who eventually reconciles with Psyche.
Chapter XXII
Venus is furious at Cupid's love for Psyche and seeks revenge, refusing to be pacified by the other gods.
Book VI
Venus, enraged by Psyche's beauty and Cupid's love, subjects Psyche to harsh labors and seeks to destroy her.
XLIV
Mentioned in the phrase 'a scholar of Venus’ court' to describe someone who would recognize the signs of love.
XLVI
Referenced in the judgment of Paris story within the chapter, where she is pleased with the outcome.
XLVII
Mentioned as a possible form of the goddess in Lucius's prayer.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Venus unlock in the free preview.

See Venus in v

See Venus in The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche