Comparing Homeric Hymn To Demeter
Greek and Roman mythology is a popular topic around the world. Whether one thinks it’s absurd or fascinating, it has an impact on our culture. Countless people know that the story of how the seasons came about has to do with Greek and Roman mythology. More specifically, the Homeric Hymn to Demeter. I will be comparing and contrasting three versions of this story that are all written in third person. I believe this point of view lets the reader understand most every detail to the fullest extent. Perhaps if a story was written in the view of Demeter or Persephone, we could see more detail on the reactions of each of them. The interpretations of the story of Demeter and Persephone are slightly different in content, but almost exact in underlying meaning.
One part of the myth is how Demeter reacts to losing Persephone. In the three versions, Demeter’s reaction is fairly similar. Obviously she is enraged and wants her daughter back, so she stopped the earth’s ability to produce grain or seed. In one version, Laura Strong states that Demeter is consumed by depression and essentially forgets about her worldly duties. This could symbolize the relationship between a mother and her child in the way that a mother will postpone her duties as a person (or goddess) to care for her child. As for the original …show more content…
In every interpretation of the original hymn, the seasons have to do with Persephone eating pomegranate seeds and being forced to return to the underworld for one third of the year. The difference is how she comes about eating the seed(s). In all three of the interpretations I found, Persephone accepts the pomegranate seeds and might look for more from Hades. I sincerely don’t understand why she would accept something from Hades at last second. Also, why did Hermes not make an attempt to stop her? Maybe this just shows the madness of mythology. Common sense is
One part of the myth is how Demeter reacts to losing Persephone. In the three versions, Demeter’s reaction is fairly similar. Obviously she is enraged and wants her daughter back, so she stopped the earth’s ability to produce grain or seed. In one version, Laura Strong states that Demeter is consumed by depression and essentially forgets about her worldly duties. This could symbolize the relationship between a mother and her child in the way that a mother will postpone her duties as a person (or goddess) to care for her child. As for the original …show more content…
In every interpretation of the original hymn, the seasons have to do with Persephone eating pomegranate seeds and being forced to return to the underworld for one third of the year. The difference is how she comes about eating the seed(s). In all three of the interpretations I found, Persephone accepts the pomegranate seeds and might look for more from Hades. I sincerely don’t understand why she would accept something from Hades at last second. Also, why did Hermes not make an attempt to stop her? Maybe this just shows the madness of mythology. Common sense is