Problem
Were there any aspects of this week's readings that you did not understand? In what way is the story of Demeter and Persephone different from most of the other stories that we have studied so far?
Can Demeter be considered a hero character within the context of this week's reading? Why or why not? For example, how does her struggle compare to other Greek gods like Zeus, Achilles, or Heracles?
Also, what is the "moral" at the end of the story? Considering that this story is sometimes referred to as "The Rape of Persephone", what does it tell us about family values and marriage in Ancient Greece?
Do you sympathize with Demeter? Who does she punish for her daughter's absence? Why does she respond this way?
What natural phenomenon does the absence of Persephone explain at the end of the story? Which function of myth does this fulfill?