Demeter and Persephone: Still Relevant Today

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to do the following:
1.    Define myths and understand their purpose
2.    Familiarize themselves with the Homeric Hymn to Demeter (650 BCE)
3.    Explain the role of the Eleusinian Mysteries and their connection to the Demeter/Persephone myth
4.    Interpret the myth as metaphor
5.    List Demeter’s steps as she goes through the grieving process
6.    Identify each woman’s role in Demeter’s healing and reconciliation
7.    Analyze Persephone’s transformation from victim to empowered survivor
8.    Compare and contrast male and female roles
9.    Interpret the symbolism of the narcissus, pomegranate, and underworld
10.    Critique lessons learned from this myth

Supplies Required:
The Homeric Hymn to Demeter. Translated by Gregory Nagy.
Available online
https://kosmossociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/058_book_sourcebook_homeric-hymn-to-demeter.pdf