 Venus is aware that Theseus intends to abandon Ariadne on Naxos, and to proceed to Athens alone.Cupid offers to rekindle Theseus's passion for Ariadne, but Venus has decided to unite her with the god Bacchus, and asks Cupid to arrange this.Cupid conceals himself, as Theseus and Ariadne arrive on the island a short distance away.