Agape Love in Till We Have Faces

C. S. Lewis' work Till We Have Faces depicts many Christian themes in this Greek myth retold. One theme that is extremely prevalent is the love that Orual and the Fox have for Psyche. When discussing Psyche's life with the King, the Fox declares, "But Master, I'd lose not only my throne but my life to save the Princess, if I were a king and a father" (p. 59). This reminds of the love Christ speaks of in Matthew 18:12 when he rhetorically asks, "Will the man not leave the ninety-nine on the hills to go and look for the one that wandered off?" This is the opposite of utilitarian philosophy, which is an ethical principle grounded in one's social utility. Orual also displays this kind of love for her sister, Psyche. She courageously yet foolishly picks up a sword and fights with one of the guards just to see Psyche the night before she passes away. However, this describes agape love does it not? Foolishly courageous for the sake of another. Christ did what this King was unable to do, lay down his thrown for someone "lesser." Agape love often hurts because it is vulnerable. It will do whatever it can to make another feel loved and cared for. Another interesting piece of this story is the Fox. One who is described as a naturalistic man still wants to save Psyche even though this contradicts his naturalistic philosophy. Perhaps agape love exists in the heart of every man, woman, and child; we just need to find a way to access to it.