The myth of Hades and Persephone - Iseult Gillespie

Summary

The ancient Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone explains the changing seasons. Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, goddess of agriculture, is abducted by Hades to the underworld. In grief, Demeter neglects her duties, causing famine on Earth. Despite her protest, Persephone eats pomegranate seeds, binding her to Hades for part of the year. A compromise is reached: Persephone spends two-thirds of the year with Demeter, bringing spring and summer, but returns to the underworld for the remainder, leading to winter as Demeter mourns her absence.

Takeaways

• 🌾 Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, was celebrated by the ancient Greeks before sowing grain seeds.
• 👩‍👧 Demeter’s beloved daughter, Persephone, shared her mother's love for nature and agriculture.
• 👀 Hades, god of the underworld, watched Persephone from the shadows and plotted to take her.
• 🌸 While Persephone admired a blooming flower with the nymph Cyane, Hades kidnapped her.
• 🚪 Hades abducted Persephone into the underworld, and Cyane dissolved into the river from grief.
• 😡 Demeter searched desperately for her daughter, neglecting her duties, causing a great famine on Earth.
• ⚡ Zeus, Persephone’s father, had secretly promised her to Hades without her consent, angering Demeter.
• 🍽 Persephone refused to eat in the underworld, but eventually consumed a few pomegranate seeds, binding her to Hades.
• ⚖ A compromise was made: Persephone would spend two-thirds of the year on Earth and one-third in the underworld.
• ❄️ Persephone’s return to Earth marks the beginning of spring, while her departure brings winter, symbolizing the changing seasons.

Q & A

Who is Demeter and what is her significance in the story?

Demeter is the goddess of agriculture and fertility. She plays a crucial role in the growth of crops and sustenance of life on Earth. Her grief over the abduction of her daughter, Persephone, leads to a great famine, symbolizing the connection between her emotions and the natural world.

What event sets the story in motion?

The story is set in motion when Hades, the god of the underworld, abducts Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, while she is frolicking in a meadow with the nymph Cyane.

How does Demeter react to Persephone’s abduction?

Demeter is devastated by Persephone’s abduction and embarks on a desperate search for her. In her grief, she neglects her duties, causing crops to wither and famine to spread across the Earth.

What role does Zeus play in Persephone’s abduction?

Zeus, Persephone's father, secretly made a deal with Hades, granting him Persephone’s hand in marriage without her or Demeter’s consent. Zeus later refuses to intervene when Demeter demands Persephone’s return.

Why does Persephone refuse to eat in the underworld?

Persephone refuses to eat in the underworld as a form of protest against her forced captivity and to avoid being permanently bound to Hades.

What is the significance of Persephone eating the pomegranate seeds?

By eating a few pomegranate seeds from the underworld, Persephone becomes partially bound to Hades and the underworld, ensuring that she must return there for a portion of every year.

How is the changing of the seasons explained in the myth?

The myth explains the changing of the seasons as the result of Persephone’s movements between the underworld and Earth. Her return to Earth brings spring and summer, while her descent to the underworld causes autumn and winter as Demeter mourns her absence.

What compromise is made between Demeter, Zeus, and Hades regarding Persephone’s fate?

The compromise is that Persephone will spend two-thirds of the year with Demeter on Earth, allowing crops to grow, and one-third of the year in the underworld with Hades, during which time Demeter mourns and the Earth experiences winter.

What is the consequence of Demeter’s refusal to perform her duties?

When Demeter refuses to perform her duties, crops wither, causing a great famine that threatens the survival of humanity. This forces the gods to address her demands, as they rely on humans for worship and tributes.

What role does Helios, the sun god, play in the story?

Helios, the all-seeing sun god, informs Demeter of the deal between Zeus and Hades, revealing the truth about Persephone’s abduction and Zeus’ betrayal. His knowledge helps Demeter confront Zeus and demand justice.