# Venus — The Lusiads character guide

> Venus in The Lusiads by Luís de Camões.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Venus Acidalia, Dionaea

**First appearance:** 0005-canto-i

## Snapshot

The Cyprian goddess who claims the Portuguese as her own, scheming to reward their suffering with an island of impossible delight.

## Who they are

Venus has been ordained by the Eternal Sire to guard the Lusitanian sailors, and she takes the charge personally. Seeing how the sea and Bacchus have worn them, she plans a divine island of nymphs and rest to repay their toils. Her protective love drives the poem's counter-movement, ensuring that mortal endurance is met by immortal favour.

## Relationships

### [Cupid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/characters/cupid)

_family_

Cupid and Venus are family, with Cupid being Venus's son and often acting under her influence.

## In the story

### [The Lusiads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters/the-lusiads)

The goddess who calms the storm and directs the fleet to the island of love.

### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters/canto-i)

The goddess who favors the Portuguese, advocating for their success in the divine council.

### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters/canto-ii)

The goddess who descends to protect the Portuguese fleet and intercedes with Jupiter on their behalf.

### [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters/canto-vi)

Calms the storm and directs the fleet to Calecut.

### [Canto IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters/canto-ix)

The goddess who, moved by the heroes' suffering, directs them to a beautiful island for rest and reward.

### [Manuscript No. I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/chapters/manuscript-no-i)

Mentioned as the one who presents the 'guerdon' (reward) after the storm, calming the seas.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/characters/venus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lusiads_se/characters