Hades Greek God Analysis

Hades: The Changing Perception of a God

A Comparison of Past and Present

In time, all stories are changed or diluted. How the legend is told becomes slightly biased by the person telling it, or fragments are lost to memory. One of the best examples is the cultural view regarding the Greek God of Death and the Underworld, Hades.

In original myth, Hades’ most noted character traits are how he’s so responsible, reliable, and even-tempered; and how dull most of the other Gods find he is to be around. And notably, that (if one follows back the etymology of the word “Cerberus”) he named his giant three-headed guard dog Spot.

He’s the kind of God who doled out punishments (for those deserving of it) like pushing a boulder one could barely move up a hill forever. Then enchanting the hill to get taller as one got closer; while also enchanting the punished into eternally thinking, “Just once more. I can do it this time.” Not out of a deep hate or anger, he just didn’t like them as a person is all. Of all Chronos’ sons, Hades was certainly the least reprehensible. Yet modern society and media portrays him as being synonymous with a devil-like figure.

There are no eternal flames or never-ending pain in Hades’ domain like there are in Hell. While eternal punishment and reward exists, it’s reserved for those who are exceptionally vile or virtuous. It’s not the afterlife the populous fears like they fear Hell. The Plains of Asphodel is where nearly all the eventual dead will reside. It’s a grim and bleak place. And since death is the antithesis of life, all who find themselves there lose what makes them human. They do not feel joy or desire; they have no memory or purpose. But, no torment either. It’s not meant to be cruel or intentionally mean; Death is just the great equalizer of all men. Essentially, Hades’ job is to be a cosmic reminder that each person gets only a short amount of time on earth, so treasure every