Can you identify a moment when

you were tempted to make a choice

that had lasting consequences?
PERSEPHONE
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the discussion, students will be able to:
a. Analyze how the myth of Persephone explains the cause of
the four seasons;
b. Identify and discuss key elements of the myth;
c. Appreciate the beauty and significance of each season
through creative expression and discussion; and
d. Create a visual representation of the four seasons based
on personal experiences and the story of Persephone.
PERSEPHONE
 PERSEPHONE
The myth of Persephone is rooted in ancient Greek mythology
and has been passed down through generations. It primarily
appears in works from the 8th century BCE, notably in
Hesiod's "Theogony" and The Homeric Hymns, especially the
Hymn to Demeter. These texts form the basis of the story,
which has been interpreted and retold in various forms
throughout history.
CHARACTERS
PERSEPHONE
 PERSEPHONE “KORE”
Persephone is the daughter of Demeter and
Zeus, known for her beauty and innocence. She
is abducted by Hades, becoming both the queen
of the underworld and a goddess of spring. Her
journey symbolizes the changing seasons and
the cycle of life and death.
HADES
 HADES
Hades is the god of the Underworld. He
abducts Persephone to make her his
queen, initiating the main conflict of the
story. His actions create the dynamic
between life and death in the myth.
DEMETER
 DEMETER
Demeter is the goddess of agriculture and
fertility, embodying nurturing qualities. She
mourns the loss of her daughter, leading to
barren earth and the absence of harvests.
ZEUS
 ZEUS
Zeus is the king of the gods and father of
Persephone. He permits Hades to take her
but later intervenes to negotiate her return.
HELIOS
 HELIOS
Helios is the sun god. He plays a crucial role
by revealing to Demeter what happened to
Persephone. His guidance aids Demeter in
her search for her daughter.
SETTINGS
The Earth/Land
of the Living The
underworld/
Land of the
Dead
PLOT
 INTRODUCTION
The story begins on Mount Olympus, the home of
the Greek gods. Persephone, the daughter of Zeus
and Demeter, was a beautiful and innocent goddess
who lived in the world of the gods on Mount Olympus.
She was loved by her mother, Demeter, the goddess of
agriculture, and they were inseparable.
 RISING ACTION
As Persephone gathers flowers in a meadow, Hades, the
god of the underworld, emerges from the ground in a chariot
and abducts her to make her his queen. Demeter,
devastated by the loss of her daughter, searches for
Persephone tirelessly across the earth. In her grief, she
neglects the crops, leading to famine and barren land, which
affects both mortals and nature.
 CLIMAX
The gods grow concerned as the world suffers, and they
urge Zeus to intervene. Zeus decides to send Hermes to the
underworld to negotiate Persephone's return to her mother.
However, Hades tricks Persephone into eating pomegranate
seeds.
 FALLING ACTION
Persephone ate the pomegranate seeds binding her to the
underworld. Upon her return to the surface, Persephone
reunites with Demeter, bringing joy back to the earth.
 DENOUMENT
However, they must confront the reality of her dual
existence. Persephone must spend part of the year in the
underworld and part on earth. This arrangement leads to
the changing seasons: when Persephone is with Hades,
Demeter mourns, and the earth becomes barren; when she
returns, nature flourishes.
CONFLICTS
MAN VS. MAN
MAN VS. MAN
The central conflict occurs between
Persephone and Hades when he
abducts her to the underworld.
Persephone struggles against Hades’
power and desire to keep her as his
queen. This conflict is further
illustrated by Demeter’s anger and
determination to find her daughter,
leading her to confront the gods about
Persephone’s abduction.
MAN VS. SELF
 MAN VS. SELF
Demeter experiences conflict with
herself as she mourns for Persephone.
In her grief, she neglects her duties as
the goddess of agriculture, causing the
earth to become barren. Persephone
faces internal conflict regarding her
identity and role after her abduction.
Her decision to eat the pomegranate
seeds adds to this internal struggle,
binding her to the underworld.
MAN VS. SOCIETY
 MAN VS. SOCIETY
Demeter’s conflict with the other gods
represents a societal conflict. While she
seeks help from Zeus to retrieve
Persephone, the other gods initially do
not intervene, demonstrating the
limitations of her power as a goddess.
This highlights the tension between her
maternal instincts and the established
order of the divine hierarchy.
MAN VS. FATE
 MAN VS. FATE
Persephone’s fate is determined by her
consumption of the pomegranate
seeds, which bind her to the
underworld for part of the year. This
conflict with fate underscores the
inevitability of her dual existence and
the cyclical nature of her journey
between the earth and the underworld.
SYMBOLISM
 PERSEPHONE
Persephone represents both life and death. As the goddess
of spring, she symbolizes life, growth, and renewal. As the
queen of the Underworld, she represents death and the
afterlife.
 HADES
As the god of the Underworld, represents the inevitability of
death and the darker aspects of life. Hades is not just a
villain; he symbolizes the necessary acceptance of death as
a part of life. His role reminds us that the end of life is a
natural progression.
 SEASONS
The changing seasons, especially the transition from winter
to spring, reflect Persephone’s journey between the
Underworld and the earth. Winter symbolizes death and
sadness, while spring represents rebirth, fertility, and hope.
This cycle illustrates that life is not linear but rather cyclical,
consisting of seasons of joy and sorrow, growth and decay. In
every ending can lead to a new beginning.
POMEGRANATES
The pomegranate is a significant symbol in the myth, representing life,
death, choices, consequences, and temptation. The allure of the
pomegranate emphasizes how temptation can lead us to make choices
that ultimately shape our destinies.
THEMES
 GRIEF AND
TRANSFORMATION
Grief is a powerful theme in the story, particularly in
Demeter's reaction to Persephone's abduction. Her
profound sadness transforms her into a figure of
power, driving her actions that ultimately shape the
natural world.
 FEMININE
IDENTITY/WOMEN
EMPOWERMENT
Persephone's ability to navigate her dual existence,
spending part of the year with her mother and part in the
underworld, highlights her resilience. Women can embrace
multiple identities and roles simultaneously.
 THE CYCLE OF LIFE
AND DEATH
This theme reflects the natural rhythms of the earth,
particularly the changing seasons, which mirror human
experiences of life, death, and rebirth.
MOTHER-DAUGHTER
RELATIONSHIP
 DEATH AND
ACCEPTANCE OF
MORTALITY
ANALYSIS
MORAL/ LESSON
“Life is filled with changes, and accepting them is essential
for growth. Persephone’s journey from the underworld to
the surface symbolizes the transitions we all face,
reminding us that change can lead to new beginnings
and opportunities.”
 “Life consists of both joy and sorrow, light and
darkness. Persephone's existence in both the
underworld and the earth highlights the importance of
acknowledging and embracing both aspects of life,
as they contribute to our overall experience.”
 Can you identify a moment when
you were tempted to make a choice
that had lasting consequences?
 Poster activity:
On a single sheet of paper, divide it into four sections, one for
each season: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

In each section, write a short paragraph or a few sentences

describing a personal experience or memory that relates to
that season. Reflect on how this experience connects to the
themes in the story of Persephone (such as change, choices,
or growth).
Spring: How does this season represent renewal or new
beginnings in your life?
Summer: What joyful experiences or moments of growth
have you had?
Autumn: How does this season represent change or
letting go in your life?
Winter: What challenges or times of reflection have you
faced during this season?