Content — what is happening
- Weak in body and mind but driven on by the cruelty of Fate, Psyche nerves herself: she brings out the lamp, seizes the razor, and ‘changes her sex’ in daring.
- The lamplight reveals the secret of the bed — and it is no monster but the gentlest, sweetest of all creatures: Cupid himself, a beautiful god lying beautifully asleep.
- Even the lamp burns brighter at the sight, and the razor seems to repent its profane edge.
- Terror-struck and faint, Psyche sinks to her knees and tries to hide the blade — in her own breast.
- She would have killed herself, had the knife not slipped in fear from her reckless hands and flown away.