Cupid and Psyche

Playwright's Name (Year) Anon.

Historical Records

In Plays Confuted in Five Actions (1582), Stephen Gosson states that a play by the name of 'Cupid and Psyche' was "plaid at Paules" (D5v).

Theatrical Provenance

Paules.

Probable Genre(s)

Romance.

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

The likely source is either the 1566 edition or the 1571 edition of The xi. books of the Golden Asse by Apulieus and translated by William Adlington. The story of Cupid and Psyche is covered in books four, five, and six. In Plays Confuted in Five Actions (1582), Stephen Gosson lists the Golden Asse as one of the books "ransackt to furnish the Play houses in London" (D6v).

References to the Play

Stephen Gosson mentioned 'Cupid and Psyche' as an example of flawed plays in which thing are "fained, that never were." (D5v) <List any known or conjectured references to the lost play here.>

Critical Commentary

<Summarise any critical commentary that may have been published by scholars. Please maintain an objective tone!>

For What It's Worth

<Enter any miscellaneous points that may be relevant, but don't fit into the above categories. This is the best place for highly conjectural thoughts.>

Works Cited

Apuleius, The Eleven Books of the Golden Asse. trans. William Adlington. London: Valentine Symmes, 1566, rpt. 1571. Gosson, Stephen. Plays Confuted in Five Actions. London: Thomas Gossson, 1582.

Site created and maintained by your name, affiliation; updated DD Month YYYY.