Miscellaneous Myths: Hades and Persephone

Overly Sarcastic Productions・2 minutes read

Greek mythology is filled with problematic relationships involving gods like Zeus, Poseidon, and Apollo resorting to coercion. Modern retellings often sanitize these stories, portraying gods as good despite their bad behavior, while the story of Hades and Persephone stands out for their functional and equal relationship.

Insights

  • The story of Hades and Persephone in Greek mythology showcases a unique and functional relationship characterized by mutual respect and protection, diverging from the problematic dynamics often seen in other divine mortal relationships.
  • Modern retellings of Greek mythology often sanitize the narratives, portraying gods as benevolent figures despite their morally questionable actions, which contrasts with the original mythological depictions of gods engaging in coercion and kidnapping to form relationships with mortals.

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Recent questions

  • How are relationships depicted in Greek mythology?

    Relationships in Greek mythology often involve gods engaging in problematic behaviors such as kidnapping and coercion to form relationships with mortals. Mortals involved with gods either gain superpowers or face tragic deaths, with modern retellings often sanitizing the stories.

  • Why is Hades consistently portrayed as a villain?

    Hades is commonly depicted as a villain due to societal biases and a pop culture understanding influenced by Christianity. Despite this portrayal, the story of Hades and Persephone showcases a more functional and equal relationship between them.

  • What is the significance of the story of Hades and Persephone?

    The story of Hades and Persephone, detailed in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, explains the establishment of the seasonal cycle and the resolution of conflicts between Demeter, Persephone, and Hades. It also highlights the functional and equal relationship between Hades and Persephone.

  • Who plays a central role in the myth of Hades and Persephone?

    In the myth of Hades and Persephone, Demeter plays a central role in bringing life back and resolving conflicts. Persephone, while spending time in the underworld, is not the goddess of Spring but of the underworld.

  • How have modern writers reimagined the story of Hades and Persephone?

    Modern writers often explore the complexities of the relationship between Hades and Persephone, portraying it as functional and equal, free from infidelity and characterized by mutual respect and protection against intruders. This reimagining of their love story has made it a popular theme in contemporary literature.

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Summary

00:00

Greek Mythology: Gods, Mortals, and Relationships

  • Relationships in Greek Mythology are often problematic, with gods like Zeus, Poseidon, and Apollo resorting to kidnapping and coercion to engage in relationships with mortals.
  • Mortals involved in relationships with gods either gain superpowers or face tragic deaths, with Apollo’s lovers often meeting unfortunate ends.
  • Modern retellings of Greek mythology sanitize the stories, portraying gods as good guys despite their problematic behaviors.
  • Hades is consistently portrayed as the villain due to societal biases and a pop culture understanding of Christianity.
  • The story of Hades and Persephone, detailed in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, involves Zeus ordering Hades to abduct Persephone for marriage.
  • Demeter, Persephone’s mother, is devastated by the marriage and causes eternal winter by halting plant growth.
  • Zeus intervenes, sending Hermes to convince Hades to let Persephone return to the surface.
  • Hades agrees, but gives Persephone pomegranate seeds to bind her to the underworld, leading to her spending one-third of the year there.
  • Persephone splits her time between the underworld and the surface, causing the seasonal cycle.
  • The story ends with the establishment of the seasonal cycle and the resolution of the conflict between Demeter, Persephone, and Hades.

08:47

"Persephone and Demeter: Ancient Mythology Insights"

  • The hymn absolves Hades of most responsibility, placing it on Zeus for authorizing the kidnapping.
  • Persephone's role in Spring is incidental; Demeter is responsible for bringing life back.
  • Persephone is not the goddess of Spring but of the underworld.
  • Mycenaean records lack evidence of Hades predating Ancient Greece, unlike Demeter and Persephone.
  • The Homeric hymn details the abduction myth, ritually reenacted at the Eleusinian Mysteries.
  • Persephone and Demeter are central to ancient Arcadian mystery cults, with Hades taking a backseat.
  • Persephone is referred to as "Kore" before her abduction, a vague title akin to a pseudonym.
  • Persephone's oldest characterization as a dread queen of the underworld is suggested by various pseudonyms.
  • Hades is passive in the myth, with Persephone and Demeter driving the narrative.
  • Speculation suggests Hades may have originated from Mycenaean Poseidon, with Poseidon initially holding the underworld role.

17:39

"Lost Goddesses of Early Greece: A Review"

  • Charlene Spretnak wrote "Lost Goddesses of Early Greece: A Collection of Pre-Hellenic Myths" in 1978 to create a more child-friendly version of Greek mythology, avoiding the darker themes of kidnapping and assault.
  • Marjorie Graham later adapted Spretnak's book without crediting her, presenting it as a pre-patriarchal and goddess-worshiping Bronze Age version of the myth, lacking proper sources and criticized for spreading misinformation.
  • The story of Hades and Persephone stands out in Greek mythology for their functional and equal relationship, free from infidelity and characterized by mutual respect and protection against intruders, making it a popular theme for modern writers exploring its complexities and reimagining their love story.
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