OUA HST 140 Assessment task 3

by Feodor Weissmann

student ID 40899152

In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, what is the fate of Persephone?

In the hymn fate of Persephone was determined by others with herself portrayed as minor and an effect of actions of her mother and two closes men in her life, her father Zeus and her husband Hades . In a way it is emphasised by her initial names in the mythology - Kore or young maiden, those nicknames suggest under aged girl not responsible for her life course. Hymn opens with Zeus as both patriarch of the Olympic gods and the father of Persephone sanctions and arranges Hades to take Persephone "against her will" (1). After Demeter rebellion of her reproduction responsibilities, Persephone is ordered to go "to the side of your (her`s) dark-robed mother" (2). Her new husband and captive orders her to eat pomegranate seed, representing loss of innocence, bonding her to himself. And in the end it is Zeus who brokers and ratifies an arrangement under which Persephone remains with her husband but allowed to remain among the gods two thirds of the year. Fate of Persephone is a portrayed of common marriage cycles of that time. Maiden what has to submit and adapt to arrangement orchestrated by a father, mediated consent of the mother and the role of husband - stripper of the innocence and guide to adult wisdom (3). After a crises of marriage, new Persephone emerges , regarded as queen of underworld and someone who is growing to assume the role similar to her mother. (4)

Why does Demeter go to Eleusis?

Demeter departs mount Olympus and wonders among mortals as an act of rebellion against Zeus's decision and the fact that he did not consulted her prior making it(5). Were is a motive of male patriarch gaining control over marital function of reproduction and shaping future generations. Zeus decides when and with whom his doughtier, Persephone is married taking by himself reproduction decisions, usurping the women`s power of mating choice. Demeter`s rebellion is again focused on rebirth and fertility, domain traditionally controlled by the women. While her self exile goes on earth is not fertile, and with no renewable food source for humans and animals life rebirth cycle is halted on death. We can see there a powerful message that women are in control of the life cycle all the time. Zeus, representing patriarchy is forced to negotiate with Demeter and in the and brokers an agreement retaining his prime male role as umpire. An agreement that retains the mother doughtier connection, however transformed by loss of innocence into more of a mentor apprentice relationship (6). While in Eleusis Demeter plans to provide immortality to the sun of her hostess, Demophon by embracing his close to her breasts and breathing on him, feeding him with ambrosia and placing him in the fire to burn his mortal nature away. Demophon`s mother, Metanire, interrupts the process upsetting Demeter, who refuses to continue the immortality transformation. Goddess is embraces the continuity of her followers (represented by a child) but due to men`s inability to pay the price of immortality unable to give linear continuity, offering continuity through re-berth instead (7,8).

Bibliography:

1 Homeric Hymn to Demeter, 30

2 Homeric Hymn to Demeter, 362

3 Stephen L. Harris and Gloria Platzner. Classical mythology. (Fourth edition) 162/3.

4 Stephen L. Harris and Gloria Platzner. Classical mythology. (Fourth edition) 160/2.

5 Homeric Hymn to Demeter, 91

6 Stephen L. Harris and Gloria Platzner. Classical mythology. (Fourth edition) 162/3.

7 Stephen L. Harris and Gloria Platzner. Classical mythology. (Fourth edition) 163/2.

8 Homeric Hymn to Demeter, 258