According to Greek Mythology, who is a Psyche in John Keats’ “Ode to Psyche”?

The correct option is A mortal woman.

In Greek mythology, Psyche was originally a mortal princess renowned for her extraordinary beauty, which was so great that it rivaled the goddess Venus (Aphrodite) herself. Out of jealousy, Venus commanded her son Cupid (Eros) to make Psyche fall in love with a monster. Instead, Cupid fell in love with her. After enduring a series of arduous trials imposed by Venus, Psyche was eventually granted immortality by Zeus so she could spend eternity with Cupid.

In John Keats’ “Ode to Psyche,” the poet addresses her as the “latest-born” of all the Olympian deities. Because of her late transition from a mortal woman to a goddess, she lacks the temples, altars, choirs, and traditional worship dedicated to the older, established Greek gods. Keats’ ode is a promise to build a sanctuary for her in his mind, highlighting her unique mythological background as a mortal woman who ascended to divinity.