Greek vs Grimm

 Comparison of the greek story Cupid and Psyche and the Brothers Grimm The Frog King, or Iron Henry; both stories narrate a tale of a king with three daughters where the youngest daughter who is so beautiful that words cannot describe her essence. Cupid and Psyche is a greek mythology tale of a young girl whose beauty is so stunning that it rivals Venus the god of love, sex, and beauty. On the other hand, the brother of Grimm tells a similar tale of a princess whose beauty is also in comparison to no other. Furthermore, both tales have many differences in character, but similarities are the motifs in the stories.  

In The Frog King, or Iron Henry, there are two main characters the princess and the frog king; they are the main focus of the tale. However, in Cupid and Psyche, there is mention of two greek goddesses and two sisters; which was not mentioned before in the brothers of Grimm version. Moreover, in the Cupid and Psyche there no mention of the princess marrying, or coming in contact with a frog; as shown, in the brothers of Grimm, The Frog King, or Iron Henry. 

  Similarities between both tales are the motifs in the stories. In both stories, the princess is beyond beautiful which can be seen in most fairytales, and myths. Another motif, that is present in both stories is the princess being a damsel in distress; the prince or a male suitor saves the princes. In The Frog King, or Iron Henry the frog saves the princess ball from the well because she is unable to do so. While in Cupid and Psyche, Psyche is saved from dying because of her curiosity by cupid. All in all, the tales of Cupid and Psyche, and The Frog King, or Iron Henry have the same motifs, that is the beauty of the princess, also the princess being seen as a damsel in distress. Differences that can be observed within both stories is the characters being portrayed. In Cupid and Psyche, there is mention of the Greek goddess while, in  The Frog King, or Iron Henry only the frog prince and the princess are mentioned often.

Sources: Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm. "The Frog King, or Iron Henry." The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. Ed. Jack Zipes. Bantam Books, 2003, pp. 2-5.

“A Closer Look at Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss.” Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss | Musée Du Louvre, http://musee.louvre.fr/oal/psyche/psyche_acc_en.html.

Cupid and Psyche, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/cupid.html.

“Fairy Tales Timeline.” Timetoast, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/fariytails.

“A Closer Look at Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss.” Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss | Musée Du Louvre, http://musee.louvre.fr/oal/psyche/psyche_acc_en.html.

Cupid and Psyche, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/cupid.html.

“Fairy Tales Timeline.” Timetoast, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/fariytails.

“A Closer Look at Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss.” Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss | Musée Du Louvre, http://musee.louvre.fr/oal/psyche/psyche_acc_en.html.

Cupid and Psyche, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/cupid.html.

“Fairy Tales Timeline.” Timetoast, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/fariytails.

“A Closer Look at Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss.” Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss | Musée Du Louvre, http://musee.louvre.fr/oal/psyche/psyche_acc_en.html.

Cupid and Psyche, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/cupid.html.

“Fairy Tales Timeline.” Timetoast, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/fariytails.