The myth of Eros/Cupid and Psyche is one of the most well known and beloved stories in classical mythology, and it has been--and still is--explicitly referenced or alluded to in some of the most famous works of art and literature across history. Elements of the Eros/Cupid and Psyche story were even used as inspiration for the tales of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. The myth is often thought to be the ultimate love story, a story of what is possible when love conquers all, and it highlights themes such as trust, devotion, and sacrifice. Yet there are also darker themes explored in this myth:  jealousy, betrayal, and revenge, to name a few. 

Like countless authors and artists who came before him, C. S. Lewis was inspired by the Eros/Cupid and Psyche story, as the tale had haunted him for years of his life, and he sought to retell it in his own words. The result was his 1956 novel, Till We Have Faces, which tells the story of Eros/Cupid and Psyche from the perspective of one of Psyche's sisters. Though the novel is quite faithful to the original myth, it is nevertheless a creative and enchanting novel whose characters are richly developed and which prompts the reader to explore the humanity of emotions such as loss, grief, guilt, jealousy, and love. It is a tale of transformation, in ways both literal and figurative, and it is rife with opportunities for analysis and discussion. Though C. S. Lewis is known primarily for his Narnia series, Till We Have Faces was his personal favorite, and many critics believe it to be his best novel. 

In this class, we'll examine which parts of the novel have their roots in the mythological tradition, and which parts have been invented by the author. The novel uses as much of its source material the myth as it is recounted in ancient Greek and Roman sources (particularly the myth as told by the Roman writer Apuleius); in the class, we'll use the novel as a jumping off point to explore elements of the story as told in antiquity, as well as it how it translates to the more modern day. We'll also examine the literary merits of the novel, discussing things such as language, style, character development, and major themes, among others.

This class is designed to be a combination of discussion and casual lecture. It is a book club, and this may be thought of as more of a seminar circle style of class (or, if we're feeling sophisticated, perhaps we'd refer to it as a literary salon!). Learner participation is very much encouraged and expected; learners should come to each class expecting not only to learn more about the myth presented in the novel, but to share their thoughts on what they've read and to ask questions. Learners are expected to read a set amount of chapters before each class. Learners will need to purchase the novel or to check it out from the library. The class will vary from week to week depending on where discussion takes us, but as a loose guideline, we'll discuss approximately four to five chapters a week for the first four weeks, with our final two weeks focusing on the final four chapters of the book:

Week One:  Chapters I-IV (Book One)
Week Two:  Chapters V-VIII (Book One)
Week Three: Chapters IX-XV (Book One)
Week Four: Chapters XVI-XXII (Book One)
Week Five:  Chapters I-II (Book Two)
Week Six: Chapters III-IV (Book Two)

It is not necessary for learners to have a knowledge of classical mythology to take this course; it is recommended, however, that learners have a basic idea of what mythology is, and who the ancient Greeks and Romans were. I do offer a symposium-style mythology class on Eros and Psyche (Mythology Symposium:  The Story of Eros and Psyche), and if learners would like to know more about the story before enrolling in or beginning this class, that is encouraged (please contact me if you're interested in this class but there are no sections currently open or open sections do not fit with your schedule). The novel itself is written more for an adult audience, though in terms of subject matter, it is suitable for younger learners, and I myself read this for the first time around the age of 10. The language of the novel is not overly sophisticated, but there may be more challenging vocabulary and sentence structure depending on your learner's level. I STRONGLY recommend previewing the book before enrolling in this course to see if your learner is at the level of reading necessary for the novel.

I want learners to feel comfortable in my classes. To read is an absolute joy and often a comfort (such is my experience, anyway). As such, learners should feel free to dress casually, lounge comfortably, and snack politely.