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Aslyn Wright

Dr. Piering

ENG 499

24 November 2020

The Romanticization of Hades in Modern Media

Hades, the god of the Underworld, was widely viewed as the villain. The Greeks

respected, yet feared him. He has been portrayed as a villain in many different stories. In the

original myth of Hades, he was given the Underworld as his dominion to rule, after Zeus and

Poseidon claimed the sky and the sea. He was no judge nor a torturer the way the Devil is

portrayed, he was simply a ruler. He was in charge of the dead, but not the god of death. He kept

detailed records of all the souls that would come to the Underworld and where they would go. It

is glorified paperwork. He would appoint judges of the Underworld to preside over the courts.

He had a big, three-headed dog named Cerberus, whose job was to guard the gates of the

Underworld so that no unwanted visitors could get in, and no one could get out. Although Hades

was viewed as evil, this is not the case. His punishments were never cruel or unjust, they fit the

crime. Zeus and Hades’ eventual wife, Persephone, were the one who doled out the more cruel

punishments.

Hades is married to Persephone, and one of the big reasons why he is so hated is because

of how he got his wife. In Homeric Hymn myths, Hades kidnaps Persephone after he falls in love

with her, and then he forces her to marry him and consume pomegranate seeds so that she must

stay with him at least part of the year. Persephone’s mother, Demeter, razes the earth after she

finds that her daughter is missing, and forces Zeus’ hand to make Hades give Persephone back to
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her mother, and for each third of the year that she remains in the Underworld, Demeter neglects

the earth and nothing can grow. This is why the seasons change.

There are alternate stories about Hades and Persephone. Some of them, Persephone

wanders down on her own and decides to stay, and others, there is no Hades at all. In one such

story, “Demeter and Persephone”, research compiled together by Charlene Spretnak, tells the

story of Persephone and Demeter without any other gods involved. Demeter is a benevolent

goddess with a caring daughter, and together they take care of the earth and the humans, until

one day Persephone hears the cries of the dead and decides to go down to the Underworld to help

and rule them, all the while her mother waits for her on the surface and mourns until her return

(Spretnak 9-11). Persephone is independent in her thinking and takes control of her own life.

However, the myth of Hades stealing Persephone away from her mother is the most widely

recognized as the truth. This leads to Hades being portrayed as the villain in many stories and

media, such as in the movies Hercules and Clash of the Titans, or in the occasional Wonder

Woman comic.

Hades is also feared and hated because he is associated with death. Many people are

afraid to die, so they fear the man in charge of the afterlife. They make him out to be a villain,

despite the fact that he cannot control what his job is. Many associate the afterlife with

punishment, because a great deal of the mythos are about the terrible people who were punished

after they died. There aren’t as many stories about the people who did good and got to peacefully

move on to their rewarding afterlife. This association makes Hades out to be the bad guy, even

though he was not in charge of a great deal of the extremely cruel punishments. In many myths,

his wife, Persephone, was the one to fear. Her name means “Bringer of Chaos” for a reason. In

the last decade or so, however, views on Hades and Persephone are changing. There has been a
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conscious effort to reevaluate the myth and take a different spin on it. Many are looking at the

relationship as an escape from overbearing parents, or a more modern love. Two popular

webcomics, Lore Olympus and Punderworld, show the changing relationship between Hades and

Persephone, while many poets are also influenced by this change.

Rachel Smythe and her webcomic, Lore Olympus, have become some of the most popular

media recently. Her story is a modern interpretation of Greek mythology, and a little bit of a

romance novel featuring coming of age themes. The story follows Persephone, or Kore, and

Hades, as she is away from her mom for the first time, and figuring out what she wants to do

with her life. This is very similar to when a child leaves for college for the first time. The

characters are designed as a monochrome Persephone meets Hades after a party on Olympus

when Aphrodite plays a mean trick by leaving a drunk Persephone in Hades’ car because he said

Persephone’s beauty could rival Aphrodite’s own (Smythe Ep. 3-4). Hades however doesn’t

make a move on her. He gets her out of his car and into his bed where she can sleep off the

drinks (Ep. 5). This is contradictory to the original Hades character, who would have taken

advantage of the situations and gotten himself a wife. Smythe’s Hades has a moral code that isn’t

going to allow him to take advantage of or hurt someone just to help himself out. He is kind and

gentle with someone he cares about. His goal is to treat her nice, and to make sure she is

unharmed.

Another big part of the story is how Persephone reacts to her own anger. Instead of Hades

being the wrathful and cruel god that uses his power to hurt people, it is Persephone who has all

the power. She is very powerful for a goddess, and sometimes she cannot control her own

powers. In an incident that created a great deal of death, Persephone lost control of her powers

because some of the mortals caused harm to her nymph friends (Ep. 132). Persephone is very
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powerful, but she doesn’t know how to control that power, and it makes her dangerous. Contrary

to the popular belief that Persephone is powerful because she can control her actions, Smythe’s

Persephone cannot. Her character is wrathful because she has no handle on her emotions, and

brings chaos that way, instead of punishing those who rightfully deserve it. In Lore Olympus,

Smythe gives the power to Persephone, not because she needs to come off as intimidating or

wrathful, but because she is a contradiction to Hades. Smythe’s Hades is gentle and caring, while

Persephone is powerful and sometimes hurtful. There is also a lesson in taking control of one’s

fate. It is hard to give Persephone independence that she can claim herself without also giving

her the power to do it. While right now in the comic, Persephone is still unable to get a handle on

her powers, it is interesting to look forward and see how much more powerful she will get with

training. Her power shifts the dynamic between her and Hades.

The relationship between Smythe’s Hades and Persephone is very different from the

original myth. Hades is often seen giving the power and responsibility for making decisions over

to Persephone. When establishing rules for how they were going to interact, Hades let her set the

boundaries and the rules. He gave control over to her so that she would feel most comfortable in

the situation. He never pushed the boundaries, and even dissuaded her from breaking the rules.

He made sure that no matter what, they kept their word. This is very different from the original

myth where Hades took Persephone without her permission, and then tricked her to eat the

pomegranate seed so that she would be forced to spend some of her time with him. Hades took

the choice away from Persephone and continually kept taking. He had no regards for her wants

or needs. Smythe’s Hades just wants what Persephone wants. He wants to make her happy and

let her know that she can trust him. His goal isn’t to harm her, it’s to liberate her from her

controlling mother and give her the choice on what to do with her life.
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Linda Sejic does something similar with Punderworld, in the way that she too has an over

powered Persephone, and a gentle Hades. Her Persephone is different from Smythe’s in the way

that she has been in love with Hades from the beginning of the comic, and she is more vocal with

her feelings when she is talking to her mother, which leads to outbursts of anger and powers.

Sejic’s Persephone can articulate why she is upset with being treated like a child, which gives her

an air of maturity despite the fact that she had anger outbursts. While arguing with her mom

about why she cannot have any freedom, her frustration bubbles over, and a thick, thorny vine

comes out of the ground as a representation of her anger (Sejic Ep. 7 pt. 2). Unlike Smythe’s

Persephone however, Sejic’s character has not acted out of wrath and hurt a great deal of people.

Her powers may be a little out of control, but she has enough of a handle on them to not hurt

someone. These displays of power allow for Persephone to control her life in some small way,

however. It shows that these characters can take control of their lives, and make their own

decisions without anyone else taking their choice away. These Persephones won’t roll over and

let anyone try to run their lives.

Sejic’s Hades is similar to Smythe’s in a lot of ways. They both gush out emotions

surrounding Persephone, and allow them to make their own decisions. Sejic’s Hades talks with

his brother Zeus, although it might not be the best idea, and explains to him that he loves

Persephone and that he wants to be with her and cherish her, so he will go to Demeter and ask for

her hand in marriage (Ep. 8). Hades understands that he doesn’t have a lot of power in the

situation and must jump through hoops if he even wants a chance at marrying Persephone. He

knows that in order to impress her, and gain her favor, not that he doesn't have it already, that he

needs to go through her mother. It is important for him to do this because while Persephone

doesn’t agree with all her mother’s methods, she loves her mother and wants to have her in her
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life. So, in order for Hades to get the best possible outcome, he has to put in the work, and he is

willing to do it.

The similarities between two new media pieces show that views are changing for Hades

and Persephone. They both have similar characters that have related goals. For Hades it is to

protect and take care of Persephone while she branches out and makes her own decisions, and for

Persephone it is to gain her freedom to choose her own fate, and to not be held back by

overbearing mothers or taken advantage of by careless husbands. Each comic is unique but the

similarities in themes represent a changing mindset.

This mindset is also shown through some newer poetry. Many poets have their work

posted on social media for everyone to consume, and more and more these days, Hades and

Persephone are the subjects. One poem, titled “Spring and Death”, by Eira Briallen, is about how

Persephone is aware that she was made for something other than a goddess of spring, she is also

destruction, and Hades can give her that. The last line is “Hades is my home. Let me go, mother,

or accept me as I am” (Briallen Line 34). Persephone knows of her duality and she wants her

mother to recognize that she is not just some maiden that needs to be told what to do, she is

instead a person capable of making her own decisions, and she chose her fate in Hades. Another

poem along those lines is “Letter From Hades to Persephone” by Clementine von Radics. This

one is Hades asking Persephone if she really did choose to eat the pomegranate and if she really

chose him to get away from her mother, or if she did it for another reason. One part is very

powerful with Hades pleading “Tell me you need me. Please” (von Radics Line 7). He is

desperate for her attention and affection. He needs to know how she feels. This plea shows how

much her influence affects him and how important her feelings are to him. These poems
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showcase how different the relationship between Hades and Persephone is viewed compared to

the original myth.

Not only are the views revolving the relationship between Hades and Persephone

changing, but so are the views on Hades. He has been feared and villainized throughout history

until now. Many people on social media are coming to realize that Hades is more than just the

God of the Underworld, a glorified census recorder. He is a king, and he is not as fearsome as the

stories make him out to be. He is more gentle and passive compared to his brothers. Many people

are beginning to romanticize Hades for who he is interpreted to be. Many social media blogs

have commented on him, and there are original works that paint him as a romantic lead, all to

show how he can be seen as attractive and appealing.

Tumblr is a social media site full of many different interests, but one of the more

prevalent ideas is that Hades isn’t a bad guy, rather he is one of the least problematic Olympian

gods. He only has one wife, and no real mistresses, as Persephone saw to that. He has a dog, and

a steady job, not to mention infinite wealth. Many people recognize that Zeus is more

problematic with his many, many children. Tumblr user megavanillabean states “maybe the

reason I am so in love with Hades and Persephone is because I want someone to love me as

much as Hades loves her. he didn’t cheat, he made her queen of the underworld and he is sad

everytime she leaves” (magevaniallabean 2020). Hades is idolized because he is now being

represented as a caring husband with little to no problems, just a man who loves his wife. Others

agree with this idea. User fabuloustrash05 supports this with “He does his job, he’s a hard

worker, he is the ruler of his own realm, he has a dog, and he’s loyal and loving to his wife”

(fabuloustrash05 2020). The general consensus is that Hades is a good husband and animal

owner. He just wants to do his job and take care of his family. He doesn’t get involved in the
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drama or anything else like that. He just wants some peace. Hades is no longer being viewed as

the villain.

Since Hades is no longer the villain, he has been put into a new role of romantic interest.

Many users on Tumblr also view him as a potential love interest in their own lives. They can put

themselves in Persephone’s place and want to have Hades be the loving husband he is shown to

be in new media. User apparently-i-am-an-adult states “If I was in the underworld and I was

offered a pomegranate I’d just eat all of it. No offense to Persephone but I’m different” as a way

of saying that if they were offered the chance to stay in the Underworld with someone like

Hades, they would take the chance no questions asked, just a pomegranate consumed

(apparently-i-am-an-adult 2020). They fully understand the consequences of their actions in

eating the pomegranate, and nothing is going to stop them from doing it. Another user,

susiephone, made a post about a small thing going wrong and her reaction being to yell “gee, it

sure would be a shame if HADES CAME OUT OF THE UNDERWORLD RIGHT NOW and

KIDNAPPED ME TO BE HIS NEW WIFE, and it would most DEFINITELY be a shame if i

ATE THE FRUIT OF THE UNDERWORLD WAS ALLOWED I MEAN FORCED TO STAY

DOWN THERE, away from all these MORTAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONTHS ON

END” ( susiephone 2017). She is aiming to be kidnapped by Hades, following along the lines of

the original myth, but also ignoring the problems that are associated with kidnapping. From her

perspective, she is consenting to the action, so no matter what, it isn’t a crime anymore, and she

still has the autonomy to make decisions. These users, and many more, see that Hades has the

potential to be more than a villain, and that the perks that come along with being his wife are

pretty great. Enough to want to eat a whole pomegranate, or be kidnapped and locked away

underground forever.
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There is also another type of media that helps portray Hades as a love interest. Self-insert

fanfiction is a popular media that allows the reader to place themself in the story and connect

with the characters. One popular work is called How To Be A Queen and it is written by Alyssa

Urbano, or AerithSage as her username on Wattpad. Her story is about a girl, Aerith, who was

created by the fates to be the destined soulmate of Hades, because he has no one and is lonely.

The plot is mainly focused on how the main character feels that she doesn’t have a choice in her

future because everything was already destined to happen. It is a struggle between wanting to

love her soulmate and coming to terms with the fact that she doesn’t have a choice. She calls her

main character Aerith as a way of putting herself into the book (Urbano Prologue). Her character

is unique to her writing style, and follows the author’s actions. It is harder to relate to the

character when the author chooses to make them take a strange course of action, and to deviate

from the reader's path that they would have chosen, but it does give insight into who the author

is, and what kind of person they are.

Urbano does write a very interesting Hades, compared to the others mentioned before.

His character is more angsty and filled with hopelessness at the beginning of the story. His inner

thoughts reveal a great deal about him. Hades says “sometimes I wish that I would not wake up

to an empty bed” (Urbano Ch. 1). He is longing for companionship, as he has been around many

centuries and hasn’t found the love of his life yet. Urbano elaborates further on his loneliness by

writing “I am just deluding myself and wishing for things that will never be mine” (Ch. 1). His

angst seeps out of the pages, and the reader can tell that this man needs a hug. He has lost all

hope for love because it has been so long. He doesn’t have any motivation or energy anymore.

He truly embodies the Lonely God title.

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Another thing that Urbano does with Hades to romanticize him is to show how he feels

about having a queen, and how he would treat her and his subjects. It adds another level to his

character instead of just loneliness. Hades fantasizes “How would it feel like to hold my queen’s

hand in mine as we savor this bath together? We could sit here and talk about what we would do

for the day” (Ch. 1). He wants to treat her well and make sure she’s comfortable. The talking also

implies that he wants her for more than just her body, that he wants her opinions and mind as

well. Urbano continues with teasing the reader with Hades stating “that was how I wanted to

rule- with her by my side, as equals” (Ch. 1). He is allowing his queen to have power and

authority, she will have autonomy and choices in her life. Unlike the myth Hades, Urbano’s

Hades also wants to have his queen make decisions and control her own life. He is giving up his

power for her to share it with him. This is appealing to readers because it subverts the true

character of Hades into something more acceptable today.

Urbano’s Hades does fit into some of the other stereotypes associated with Hades. He is

very antisocial and he tells the reader that right off the bat. He states “I didn’t like the Olympians

and their politics. I didn’t like meddling with mortal’s lives which was their favorite way to pass

the time. And so I remained in my realm, a hermit and a recluse” (Ch. 9). He fits into the

stereotype that Hades never left his realm because he didn’t want to be involved in the drama.

Also because he had a job to do, and there wasn’t a lot of time to take a break and throw a party.

He was one of the only gods who didn’t enjoy being in the lives of mortals, and a reason could

be that he already had to deal with them after they were dead, and they couldn’t be much more

interesting alive. Another part of the character that he fits into is the benevolent ruler trope.

Hades in the original myth was often seen as a kind ruler who didn’t impose more than he

needed to. Urbano’s Hades lives up to the expectation, “I was known to be a fair and just god. I
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did everything in my power to maintain that reputation. Truly, I did not want any shade to suffer

unduly or anyone who deserved punishment to escape” (Ch. 1). He holds his values and deals

with his kingdom in a fair way. He upholds the Hades characteristic that a ruler should be kind

and fair.

While each fanfiction can have a different point of view and message and idea about a

character, it is always interesting to see how many will be similar based on what the ideas are at

the time. To see the posts progress from acknowledging Hades isn’t a villain, to being a possible

love interest, to being an actual love interest shows how times have changed and the views.

The new idea of Hades being a calm, collected man who does his job and loves his wife

shows what people are looking for in relationships in modern time. People are seeking stability

in their relationships and a softness in the men, and fire in the women. They are throwing out the

old, terrible relationships portrayed in stories and myths, and rewriting them to be more

acceptable and comforting. Stability is very important, and so a man who is seen as very stable,

loyal, and unproblematic as possible is going to be the ideal person that is the focus of attention.

Since the views on Hades have shifted from him being an evil, scary ruler, to a man who just

loves his wife so much, it is understandable why he is now growing in positive fame and

attention, to the point where people genuinely consider him to be a romantic partner. The shift in

views on Hades makes one wonder who else will be viewed differently.
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Works Cited

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https://apparently-i-am-an-adult.tumblr.com/post/621852823795253248/if-i-was-in-the-u

nderworld-and-i-was-offered-a

Clash of the Titans. directed by Louis Leterrier. Warner Bros. 2010.

fabuloustrash05. “I don’t blame any of us…” Im Trash But Im Still Fabulous, 30 May 2020,

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Hercules. directed by Ron Clements, John Musker. Walt Disney Feature Animation. 1997.

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megavanillabean. “maybe the reason I am so in love…” Just A Person, 24 June 2020,

https://megavanillabean.tumblr.com/post/621783152232448000/maybe-the-reason-i-am-s

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Murchison, Joye. “In Pluto’s Kingdom”. Wonder Woman, vol. 1, issue 16, All American

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Smythe, Rachel. Lore Olympus. Webtoon.

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Spretnak, Charlene. “Demeter and Persephone”. Lost Goddesses of Early Greece: A Collection

of Pre-Hellenic Myths, p. 7-11, 1992.

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susiephone. “me: *experiences normal, everyday inconvenience…” welcome down to my level,

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