GROUP WORK ON HOMER’S “HYMN TO DEMETER”

 Add each group member’s name to the Word document you upload to Léa Dropbox.
 You can write bullet-point answers, but make sure each one is a complete sentence.
 Never start a bullet with a textual quotation. You must first contextualize your
evidence.
 Answer each question in two-to-four bullet points.

Homer’s “Hymn to Demeter” can be analyzed from a structuralist perspective using the
prominent binary of POWER VERSUS HELPLESSNESS.

1. What is the numerator at the beginning of the opening scene with Persephone in the
meadow? What is the numerator at the end of this scene? Use textual details to prove
your answer (top of page 49 to middle of page 50).

AT BEGINNING = POWER / HELPLESSNESS

 Persephone is playing with other maidens in the meadow. This is an image of

virility, youth and vitality (49).
 The Eden-like setting includes blossoming flowers in lush nature. Like the
maidens themselves, this meadow is an image of power and virility.

BY END = HELPLESSNESS / POWER

 Hades “seizes” the young maiden against her will.

 Persephone “wailed … and raised a shrill cry” to her father Zeus (50), but he does
not come to help her.
 In fact, Persephone must face the abduction all alone. No one hears her pleas
accept for the Moon Goddess Hekate and sun god Helios, who did not even see
what actually happened.

QUESTIONS FOR BREAKOUT GROUPS ONE TO SIX

2. What gains precedence for Demeter when she interacts with other gods and she
begins her search for her daughter? Use textual details to prove your answer (middle
of page 50 to near end of page 51).

*Helplessness/power
-The Gods refuse to directly answer her and tell her the truth and it can be seen that
she is desperate for an answer when she says “Helios, do have respect for me as a
goddess, if I ever cheered your heart and soul by word or deed.” (51)

-Helios tells Demeter that Hades is so powerful that she should be honored and not
fight for it since Hades is a part of “triple division”. (51)
 -Demeter is miserable and depressed after not hearing an answer from the Gods that
she stops tasting “ambrosia” or “nectar” for days. (50)

3. What gains initially precedence when Demeter tries immortalizing Demophoӧn even
though this violates Hades’ right to all human souls when they die? (top half of page
55)
Power/helplessness

- Demeter makes Demophoon “look like the gods” by nurturing him and “[hiding]
him like a firebrand in the blazing fire”.(55)
- Instead of feeding him and nursing him like a human, Demeter raised Demophoon
like a god and an immortal by feeding him “ambroisa”. (55)

By doing such actions, Demeter takes power in her hands and violates Hades’
right to all mortal human souls.

4. What gains precedence by the end of this episode with Demophoӧn? Use textual
details to prove your answer (top of page 55 to middle of 56).
Power/helplessness

- Demeter turns from an old woman to a young and beautiful goddess that “beauty
wafts about her”, revealing her divine power. (56)
- Demeter demands for a “temple” to be built for her and she gains new
worshippers which again is a sign of power. (56)
- Demeter feels empowered and says to Metaneira that she is “the greatest benefit
and joy to undying gods and to mortals” (56)
- Demeter shows dominance over mortal humans and “the shafts of terrible anger
shot through [her]”. She punishes Metaneira and Demephoon by not turning
Demephoon into an immortal anymore since she was offended by Metaneira.(55)

QUESTIONS FOR BREAKOUT GROUPS SEVEN TO TWELVE

5. What gains precedence when Demeter rebels against Zeus by creating a famine? Use
textual details to prove your answer (bottom of page 56 to middle of 57).

6. When Demeter is reunited with Persephone, what evidence is there that this is only a
partial victory? Why are she and her daughter still somewhat powerless? Use textual
details to prove your answer. (bottom of page 58 to middle of page 59)

7. What becomes the numerator in the closing scene? Use textual details to prove your
answer. (bottom of page 59 to end of page 60).