Mythology: Homeric Hymn To Demeter

1001 Words5 Pages
Jayla Bush Dr. Bakalian Mythology December 9, 2014 Mythology Assessment Essay Mythological sources used in this paper: 1. Homeric Hymn to Demeter 2. Homeric Hymn to Hermes In this paper, I will explain the Demeter and Hermes myth. I will also tie its morals to modern times, and explain how we still use these motifs today. Homeric Hymn to Demeter The Homeric Hymn to Demeter is perhaps best recognized as the “Persephone myth”. The most common retellings and interpretations of the myth insinuate that Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, was raped by Hades. Demeter’s search for her daughter gives us the logic about the change in the seasons. Once Persephone is stolen by Hades, Demeter looks for information on where she has gone and what has…show more content…
The reason in stealing Apollo’s cattle is because Hermes wants to receive the same status of Apollo. Hermes is very sneaky and clever while he steals the cattle of Apollo. Since there are several sandy paths the cattle have to cross, Hermes teaches them to walk backwards so Apollo would not suspect that they were in fact stolen. He is a very smart and intelligent god. Hermes’ technique turns out successful, and Apollo is confused and deceived until Hermes finally tells them where they are. Prior to all of this, Apollo got information from the old man of Onchestus, but he still wasn’t able to catch on to the game Hermes played on him. When Hermes is confronted by Apollo, they are sort of double-edged: On one side of the continuum, what he says is true; on the other hand: his trickery ways express reason for theft. In the midst of the dispute, one thing is determined: Apollo speaks the truth, and Hermes tries to get over with manipulative words and actions. Apollo grows tired of talking and wants to physically assault Hermes, and then Hermes suggests that they should let Zeus be the judge. This technique saves Hermes from being physically abused, and he doesn’t physically have the strength because he is a baby. Hermes already knows he can’t beat Apollo, but he is hoping that Zeus will sympathize with him. Both Zeus and Apollo see right through Hermes, regardless of the game he…show more content…
It is the Greeks’ reason why summer turns into fall and why spring turns into summer. Persephone leaves her mother in the Fall and stays with her husband Hades during the Winter. When the Spring starts again, she is back with her mother, which brings about the Summer. The moral of the story is a mother’s sorrow when their child leaves home. This theme is very relevant to modern times because if you think about it, a lot of mothers miss their children once they go off to college. It happened to my mother my freshman year. She said she had empty nest syndrome because she felt empty inside when I went off to school. That is how Demeter’s hymn relates to modern times and concepts. The Homeric Hymn to Hermes tells us that we cannot trust everybody, no matter how they may appear to you. Hermes was a baby when he stole the cattle of Apollo, and he taught the cows to walk backwards which is a skill. When people really show you who they are, you just have to sit back and accept it. I am sure no one wants to be labeled as a thief or liar, but when people show you those mannerisms, justice can no longer be served. We shouldn’t be so open to trusting everybody and we should allow people to prove themselves before we give them any significance in our
Show More
Related

  • Homeric Hymn To Demeter

    1254 Words  | 6 Pages

    societies. In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter these archetypal ideas are especially pronounced, transcending the literature and providing an enduring universality to a myth that is over 2700 years old. This paper argues for a Jungian interpretation of the myth of Demeter and Persephone, as the images of mother, maiden, and rebirth manifested in the story are archetypes that are undoubtedly primordial casements into the human collective unconscious. The goddess of corn, grain, and harvest, Demeter portrays

    Read More

More about Mythology: Homeric Hymn To Demeter

Open Document