Classical Mythology

318 THE MYTHS OF CREATION: THE GODS

beside Zeus, who delights in the thunder, august and holy goddesses. Greatly

happy is the one of mortals on earth whom they dearly love; straightway they

send, as a guest to his great house, Plutus, who gives wealth to human beings.

Come now you who hold power over the land of fragrant Eleusis, sea-girt

Paros, and rocky Antron, lady and queen Demeter, the giver of good things in

season, both yourself and your daughter, very beautiful Persephone, kindly

grant me a pleasing substance in reward for my song. Yet I shall remember both

you and another song too.

INTERPRETATIONS OF THE HYMN

The myth of Demeter and Persephone represents another variation of a funda-

mental and recurring theme—the death and rebirth of vegetation as a metaphor

or allegory for spiritual resurrection. In the New Testament (John 12:24), this ar-

chetype is expressed in this way: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and

Demeter, by Jean Arp (1887-1966).

Marble, 1960; 26 X 11 in. At the age

of seventy-three Arp returned to

the ancient and abstract form of the

earth-mother, whose swelling curves

and strong thighs presage the fer-

tility of nature that is described at

the end of the Homeric Hymn to

Demeter. (New York, Art Resource, ©

1994 Artists Rights Society (ARS),

New York/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn.)