Storytelling Week 3: Persephone's Diary

Persephone, Hades, and Demeter by Ninidu from deviantart

01/22/8 AD

Dear diary,

                I wonder if there is anything beyond the dark, damp jagged rocks in this land. Every time that I look up all I see is foggy darkness, but I’ve been told that above it there is a beautiful land. Lord Hades has always treated me well, and took me to the gardens of Hell yesterday. The flowers there had the most beautiful shades of purple, blue, and deep red. I took a few back to help decorate my room in this large palace. Lord Hades’ room is next to mine, although we are married he keeps a separate space to deal with all of his business. My room is decorated with lanterns  to help light it up, flowers from any new venture, and a picture of Hades and I beneath the pomegranate tree we were married under. That was a beautiful day in Hell, an oxymoron I know… But it was true, I felt truly beautiful that day and Hades looked at me like he had never looked at me before. After that day he gave me everything I wished for, besides going to the surface. I always dream of what could be up there… That is all for now though!

XOXO,                                                                                                                                                                Persephone

01/30/8 AD

Dear diary,

                Oh diary, what a wonderous discovery! I am not from Hell in all actuality! It appears that Hades had given me a potion to forget about my true homeland, the surface of Earth, and my mother, Demeter! She came to me today and I was able to go see what was beyond the ceiling of rocks in Hell. What a world I have missed! The smell of fresh grass and the bright colors everywhere, it was almost too much at once. Mother says I must return to the surface with her at once and forget Hades. She demands that I be able to live on the surface forever, but I think I would miss Hades… He has been so kind to me this whole time (besides the kidnapping aspect). We shall what Zeus says, mother says that he will have the final word on the matter. I do hope that he considers all involved… I would like to stay above the surface, but I did enjoy my walks with Hades exploring the Hell realm. Oh, it sounds like mother is calling so until later,

XOXO,                                                                                                                                                            Persephone

02/01/8 AD

Dear diary,

                It has happened! Zeus returned and has proclaimed that I will split my time between Hades and mother. I think that this is a good solution to our predicament! Mother was not satisfied with this until I told her that I would enjoy my time with Hades, but miss her every minute. Hades was surprised that I was so quick to return to him, but I think he is relieved to have someone to talk to in Hell. He is always working so hard, and those darn heroes keep trying to sneak in to rescue one damsel or another. It really is rude to disrespect a god in such a manner… Anywhoo, I must go help move some more of my things to help brighten my room in Hell! I am hopeful that this will be a good solution and allow me to see everyone I love, if only for a little while!

XOXO,                                                                                                                                                                Persephone

 Author's Note:

This story was taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses II by Ovid. I have always loved Persephone's story and thought that seeing her inner thoughts in a diary on the whole event would be interesting. Her story is that she is stolen away by Hades, because Cupid strikes him with an arrow, and then accidentally eats pomegranate seeds, and must stay in Hell for some period of time. Zeus determines this to be half the year, and is how they explain the four seasons! When Persephone is gone it turns to Fall and Winter versus when she is around, Summer and Spring. I also like to think that Hades would love and treat her kindly while she lived in Hell with them so they might have some kind of fondness or at least a friendship. 

Week 3 Reading Diary: Ovid's Metamorphoses II (cont.)

I selected the stories from Ovid's Metamorphoses II by Ovid.

I enjoyed the story of Procne and her sister Philomela. It had a lot of gruesome details in it, but also showed that women can be powerful! I also think that it was cool that the sisters got revenge on the man who had taken advantage of them! I also thought how sad it was for the father, which the author did a good job of characterizing, that his daughters would have to lead such a tragic life without his knowledge. As a whole I liked the story, but thought some of it was a little confusing to read through. Particularly the ending was a little off, for me, because the characters are randomly turned into birds without any explanation!

The next part of this story is about Jason and Medea. I love Jason and the Argonauts because of all the adventures they must go on searching for the golden fleece! I also liked that the story opened up with Medea's struggles and how she could justify her love for Jason. I had not heard that part of the story before and was glad to see her thoughts. I also like that Jason is thankful for Medea's help, the story also shows powerful women. I really liked the part that Medea used magic and helped save Jason's father's life! Again I think that the story was wrapped up very quickly, but overall I loved the adventures that were included and the idea of Medea (like the sisters previously) was able to get revenge!

Medea's Escape from Cleveland Museum of Art

Week 3 Reading Diary: Ovid's Metamorphoses II

I have always absolutely loved the story of Persephone and Hades. There was something about how a woman getting stolen away into Hell and then her mother fighting for her right to have time on earth that just inspired me. Persephone, although silly for taking the pomegranate seeds (or apple in some versions!), is extremely persistent in trying to get home. Eventually, though she makes their relationship work, which was the coolest part to me. Making a relationship that anyone would have hated/dreaded work as at least a friendship. But Hades adores her, thanks to Cupid, so I suppose having the King of Hell at beck and call would be nice after a while.

Persephone and Hades by sandara from deviantart

I also love Arachne, not because of her stubbornness, but because of the skill she had and that she was willing to fight for that. I also think this tale was interesting because it shows that the gods are not unbeatable, but should be showed respect to prevent any kind of transformation!

The other stories with the first half of this unit were not quite as interesting. I thought Niobe's story had some interesting elements because I had not heard of that story before. The other two were not as straight forward, and did not have as many interesting characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next section of readings though!  

Ovid's Metamorphoses II by Ovid