A PPT presentation to discuss Cupid, who he was, and his meaning in the play.
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WHO IS CUPID?
Cupid, one of the gods in
Roman mythology, is the force
that controls erotic love. Cupid
is the Roman counterpart to the
Greek god Eros. His name
comes from the Latin word
“cupido” which translates to
“passion, desire, yearning,
wanting, or longing.”
However, in Latin, Cupid is
known as ‘Amor.’ The Latin
word amor means “love,
infatuation, or passion.”WHO IS CUPID?
* Cupid is one of the few ancient
gods that is still a popular part of
modern society. Although he is not
regarded in quite the same way that
he was in Greek and Roman times,
he is widely accepted as a symbol
of love.
* Currently, in Western culture,
Cupid is sort of the commercial
spokesperson for Valentines day
and all things romantic.
+ Icons of Cupid picture him
shooting a bow. It is understood
that he who is struck by Cupid’s
arrow will be inspired to fall in
love. This piece of mythology is so
well known that a heart pierced by
an arrow has become another
symbol for love and romance.WHO IS CUPID?
+ There is some debate within
mythological texts about Cupid’s
lineage. The ancient poet Hesiod,
however, explains in his text
Theogony that Cupid was created by
both the god Chaos and the Earth,
working together.
+ In other lineages and tales, Cupid is
assigned Jupiter and Venus as
parents.
+ In yet another version of the god’s
lineage, Cupid is labeled as the son
of Nyx and Erebus.WHO IS CUPID?
Although nowadays Cupid is most
often portrayed as a cherubic fairy
devoted to the spread of love and
romance, he did not have such a
squeaky clean reputation among the
ancients.
Rather, Cupid was believed to be a
bad boy, a trouble maker. In addition
to being playful, in Greek and Roman
mythology, he was also quite fickle
and perverse.
Furthermore, his ability to inspire
love, it was believed, was coupled
with his ability to inspire hatred.
Therefore, in many paintings of
Cupid, he carries two quivers of
arrows, one for each purpose.WHO IS CUPID?
+ The most common mythological tale
involving Cupid is the tale of Cupid
and Psyche.
| + The goddess Venus, jealous of
Psyche, a beautiful mortal woman,
asks Cupid to use one of his arrows
to make Psyche fall in love with the
most hideous man on earth.
+ In the tale, Cupid accidentally pricks
himself with the arrow and falls in
love with Psyche, thus thwarting
Venus’ plan.CUPID AND MUCH ADO
ABOUT NOTHING
There are different types
of love present in Much
Ado About Nothing, and
Cupid is mentioned
frequently as part of the
love and relationships.
As we read, look for
examples of when Cupid
is mentioned, and how he
is discussed.