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Death In The Homeric Hymn To Demeter

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In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Demeter was connected with the concept of death in several ways. Demeter was mainly known as the goddess of corn and having a nurturing personality dealing with raising children and taking care of family. Her association with agriculture and fertility played a huge role since she was known to make the crops grow each year. Demeter was associated with several rituals which provided success in agriculture and compared the fertility of women to the fertility of the earth. She mentions, “I am the goddess Demeter, holder of honor” (HYMN 2, 268).She was also connected with the Eleusinian Mysteries which were large festivals which celebrated the yearly birth and death of corn. It was compared to humans and the concept of death since grain returns every spring after harvesting just as the human soul does after death through the process of reincarnation. …show more content…

This caused a famine which became a huge threat to human life. In the HYMN, it states, “But into the heart of Demeter came grief more dreadful and grim.” (HYMN 2, 91). Since Demeter was being harmful, she was seen as being in withdrawal from her life and family which is seen in society today. When a woman is hurting, they can create a bad atmosphere for their surroundings. For example, when a mother is hurting, her children can suffer too through the pain emitted emotionally. Overall, this myth symbolizes the many seasons and cycles of

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