Tragic Myth of Hades and Persephone Reimagined | Consent and Female Power

The Myth of Hades and Persephone

In Greek mythology, Hades and Persephone have one of the most renowned tragic love stories. Hades, the god of the underworld, fell in love with Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and the harvest goddess Demeter. He abducted Persephone while she was picking flowers and took her to the underworld to be his wife.

Persephone's mother Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertility, was distraught over the loss of her daughter. Her grief caused plants to wither and die, bringing famine to the Earth. Zeus finally intervened and negotiated for Persephone's return. However, because Persephone had eaten several pomegranate seeds while in the underworld, she would have to spend several months each year with Hades beneath the Earth.

The Abduction of Persephone

Most versions of the myth recount how Hades abducted Persephone against her will to make her his wife. Some details vary, but common elements include:

• Persephone was an innocent maiden picking flowers in a meadow when Hades erupted from the earth in his golden chariot
• Hades grabbed Persephone as she screamed for help, and took her to the underworld through a cleft in the Earth
• Neither Zeus nor Demeter could hear Persephone's cries. Helios, the sun god, was the only one who witnessed her abduction.

So began Persephone's period of enforced residence in the underworld with Hades. Demeter's mourning causes a terrible famine, demonstrating the necessity of Persephone's role fostering the Earth's fertility and prosperity.

The Pomegranate that Binds Persephone to Hades

In most accounts, Persephone is ultimately allowed to leave the underworld each year and return to her mother Demeter. However, there is a catch - she must return to Hades for several months every year. This is because Persephone ate some number of pomegranate seeds while in the underworld.

These pomegranate seeds bind her to the realm of the dead and to her husband Hades. Her consumption of this fruit from the underworld creates an unbreakable connection. Every year when Persephone descends, Demeter plunges the earth into a cold and barren winter season until her daughter returns.

Reimagining a Tragic Myth of Forced Marriage

Modern reexaminations of Greek mythology have brought renewed feminist interest to Persephone’s story. Through a contemporary lens, Persephone’s abduction and forced marriage is problematic. New perspectives imagine alternative stories of agency, choice, female power, and consent between Hades and Persephone.

Consent and Romance in Retellings

Many modern retellings reframe the relationship between Hades and Persephone. They reimagine the story as one of mutual romance rather than tragedy. Often Persephone, recast as a woman with power and autonomy, chooses to eat the pomegranate seeds that bind her to Hades. Her decision symbolizes consent to the marriage rather than coercion.

Female Power in the Underworld

Other perspectives highlight Persephone’s inherant strengths and capabilities. Some stories emphasize her moral and authoritative power to judge souls entering the underworld. As Hades’ wife and Queen, she rules the realm of the dead at his side. Persephone wields formidable influence over fate itself.

As a goddess associated with life, death, and rebirth, Persephone personifies the natural cycles of seasons. Even during her time beneath the earth each winter, she brings hope that the spring will soon return.

Hades and Persephone in Pop Culture

Romanticized retellings of the relationship between Hades and Persephone have surged in popularity. Contemporary pop culture highlights themes of choice, consent, and female empowerment in their story. Examples include:

Scarlett St. Clair's Hades and Persephone Book Series

Scarlett St. Clair's bestselling series focuses on Persephone and Hades as star-crossed lovers. Her books reimagine core elements of their mythic story while emphasizing passion, intimacy and equality between them. Themes of agency and acceptance run throughout.

Lore Olympus Webtoon Comics

The Lore Olympus webtoon strips by Rachel Smythe also reenvision Hades and Persephone's romance. Persephone is a confident, spirited young goddess while Hades is a stern but caring king of the underworld. The comics update the myth with modern stylings and sensibilities.

Hadestown Musical

This haunting Tony award-winning musical centers on an allegorical love story between Persephone and Hades. It combines mythic tragedy with high energy folk music and stellar vocal performances. The show enjoyed great popularity and critical acclaim on Broadway.

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FAQs

Why did Hades abduct Persephone?

In the original Greek myth, Hades abducts Persephone because he fell in love with her and wanted her as his wife. As the story is traditionally told, he kidnaps her against her will to take her back to his kingdom in the underworld.

Did Persephone ever love Hades?

In some modern retellings, Persephone ultimately reciprocates Hades' affection for her and chooses to rule alongside him as Queen of the Underworld. However, in early myths, her feelings are ambiguous, and she is mainly depicted as a victim longing for her mother Demeter and life on earth.

Why can't Persephone stay with Hades full time?

Since Persephone ate several pomegranate seeds from the underworld, she is bound to spend part of each year there with Hades. Her return to earth each spring and summer allows plants to grow again and the seasons to change, governed by her mother Demeter's grief and joy over losing and regaining her daughter.

How are Hades and Persephone portrayed in modern media?

Contemporary reworkings of the Hades and Persephone myth tend to depict their relationship as more egalitarian, with an emphasis on passion, choice, and female authority. Pop culture examples can be seen in Scarlett St. Clair’s book series, the Lore Olympus webcomic, and Broadway musical Hadestown among other media.