![]() ![]() So how did this parable of the kidnapped bride ring true for women living in ancient Greece? Reflecting Life for Women in Ancient Greece The mere act of eating in the underworld binds Persephone to Hades as his wife for a few months out of every year. Ever obedient to Zeus, Hades adheres to his instruction but not until he lures Persephone into consuming a pomegranate seed. ( Public Domain )įinally, Zeus intercedes on Demeter’s behalf and orders Hades to return Persephone to her mother’s earthly domain. ‘Demeter Mourning for Persephone’ (circa 1906) by Evelyn De Morgan. But Demeter will not relent until Persephone is released. Reluctant to see the planet he shepherds wither away, Zeus pleads with Demeter to make the earth abundant once again. This turns the earth into a barren wasteland. As a means of regaining her daughter from Hades, she exploits her power of fertility and stops the seasons. It is at this point in the story that Demeter realizes her full strength. A grand temple is built in Demeter’s honor with attendant rites to conciliate her spirit, but nothing appeases the grieving goddess. Upon discovering that Zeus made the perfidious bargain with Hades, Demeter withdraws from her residence on Mount Olympus, and instead makes her home in an agrarian community populated by mortals. Finally, through information gleaned by the pre-Olympian goddess Hecate, Demeter is informed of Persephone’s rape. ![]() No one, god nor mortal, has the courage to tell her what happened. Inconsolable at the loss of her daughter, Demeter roams the earth in search of Persephone. ![]() ( CC BY SA 4.0 ) Demeter Mourns and Takes Control ‘The Rape of Proserpine’ (1621-1622) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Persephone shrieks, alerting Demeter to her peril.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |