The Tremendum of Psyche - Blake Bauserman

 Continuing off my previous post, I would like to continue speaking of Rudolph Otto in concert with Lewis's writings.

In the scene where Orual reunites with Psyche, one of the men accompanying Orual falls to his knees and puts his forehead to the ground screaming about the bride of the goddess. He was overcome with what Orual remarks as a holy fear, which she remarks she does not feel.

This particular episode is quite interesting in comparison with the previous description of Psyche's beauty. Here she is said to be, "tanned by sun and wind, and clothed in rags, but laughing — her eyes like two stars, her limbs smooth and rounded, and (but for the rags) no sign of beggary or hardship about her" (49). Orual recognizes Psyche's being as properly beautiful, comparing her eyes to stars and noting she seemed to have no hardship about her.

Perhaps it was her intimacy that drove the fear from her. Maybe the tremendum can be overcome even in the face of the divine through closeness. The imagery of God as a father speaks to this. I do not know many faithful individuals who fear God, but the most devout I have had the privilege to know regard God more as a father than anything else. Perhaps this is a thought I should carry with me into the future.

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