The Beautiful Persephone

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The Beautiful Persephone
Mythology is the study of myths, why they were created, and how the stories explain things, normally nature related happenings (Matyszak 6). Myths explain the old cultures view on the world and other conflicts. They usually include a conflict with a few gods or goddesses or creatures and the ending result is what "creates" the happening in the world (Matyszak 6). Persephone is important because she is what, indirectly, caused the seasons to change. The myth of Persephone starts off with Persephone picking flowers when she comes along to a flower her father, Zeus, said he wanted her to bring back. Once she picks the flower she is taken into the underworld being kidnaped by Hades. Demeter, her mother, becomes depressed at the loss of her daughter and causes the changing of the seasons (Gates). Within all of this Hades and Zeus had a conflict because Hades had kidnapped Persephone and trapped her in his realm, the Underworld, refusing to let her go. Zeus later convinced Hades into changing the law that made Persephone stay in the Underworld. Zeus did this because Demeter was not letting anything grow and causing the mortals to die off quickly. Although, Persephone was beautiful and loyal, which made her a point of interest in art, she was also extremely naïve, which caused her to have many issues during her life including falling for the trap set to kidnap her.

Persephone's family tree is relevant to show the timeline from her ancestors. Zeus’ parents are Cronos and Rhea. He is the husband of Hera and father of eleven children and three creatures or groups of creatures (Matyzak 58). Demeter’s parents are also Cronos and Rhea. She had no husband, but she had four children (Matyzak 72). Arion was one of Perse...

... middle of paper ...

...n on Zeus including children, spouse, and prospects. On page 70, it is Hades’ children, spouse and prospects. Then again, on page 72, Demeter’s children, spouse, and prospects are detailed. I will be able to use this information to make Persephone’s family tree more detailed and correct and also with information on Hades, Persephone’s husband, Demeter, Persephone’s mother, and Zeus, Persephone’s father. It also gives me information on Persephone’s children from Hades’ information on page 70.

Works Cited
Burn, Lucilla. Greek Myths. 1996. British Museum Press. London. Print.
Gates, Megan. “Greek Godess Persephone by Megan Gates”. Goddesspersephone. N.p., Web. April, 12, 2014.
Jenna. “From Knowledge Grows Acceptance”. Paganpages. N.p., November, 2009. Web. April, 12, 2014.
Matyszak, Philip. The Greek and Roman Myths. Nov, 2010. Thames & Hudson ltd. London. Print.

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