| “ | Mother insists that I have what you would call Stockholm Syndrome. My love for Hades didn't appear because of the pomegranate that I ate. It grew over time, like a tree. My role as queen of the underworld scares a lot of people. And I can't really blame them. But I have my sights set on the underworld, not people who mention me. I don't really care if they say my name or not. | „ |
| ~ Persephone. |
Persephone, also known as Proserpina, is the daughter of Demeter and a mortal farmer. She is the goddess of vegetation that is married to Hades, leading to her becoming a goddess and queen of the underworld.
History[]
Persephone's Abduction[]
There are many variations on the myth about what happened, but most have Hades kidnapping her and taking her to the underworld. Persephone's mother refused any deity that wanted to be with Persephone and kept them away from her, and it was said that Zeus gave her to his brother Hades which was an act that Demeter, Persephone, and Hades himself resented and were extremely bitter towards Zeus for.
Another version tells that Persephone, having grown tired of her mother's overbearing and nagging nature, wandered off into the forest where she came upon the entrance to the Underworld. Her curiosity got the better of her and upon entering she was met with none other than Hades himself.
Eloping with Hades[]
While Persephone was wary of Hades at first, she would slowly begin to see a side of him that not even his own family are aware of. Persephone noticed that unlike his brothers, Hades was kind and compassionate towards her. He never forced himself on her, did not abuse her, never raised his voice, and would provide her space, comfort, and nourishment. During her time with Hades, her feelings of affection was mutual and she soon fell in love with the Underworld god.
It was not until Persephone noticed that the Earth was growing barren of vegetation and proper weather conditions that she knew her mother was looking for her and was grieving over her disappearing. Hermes soon arrived and told Hades to return Persephone to Demeter. She then heard from their conversation that so long as Persephone had not eaten any of the food down here in the Underworld then she can return.
Queen of the Underworld[]
While some believe Hades tricked Persephone into eating pomegranate seeds to stay with him, it is revealed that Hades gave her the choice on whether or not she wishes to stay and be his queen or to return to the surface. Persephone made the choice of eating the seeds, showing that despite her mother's claims, she truly does love Hades. After eating the pomegranate seeds of the Underworld, she would be forced to return to the underworld as all those who eat the underworlds food must return there. For this reason, Persephone spends one-third of the year with Hades and the rest with her mother.
Personality[]
As the Goddess of Death, Persephone is just as fair and just as her husband, however, she is known to take the role as Queen of the Underworld even more seriously than Hades himself. Persephone held an ancient role as the Dread Queen and had a reputation so fearsome that the mortals were far too afraid to even dare utter her name.
Regardless, Persephone is portrayed as being very kind, loving, and nurturing as well, especially towards her children. It was those very characteristics that she was able to get past Hades' cold and stern heart as well and expose a more soft and gentle side in him. Persephone has been shown to enter into a sullen and morose state whenever she is required to return to the surface to fulfill her duties as the Goddess of Spring. And while she does love her mother dearly she is unable to tolerate her controlling and overbearing nature. It is for that reason that Persephone much prefers to remain in the Underworld with Hades to the point where she even delights in the company of the shades that wander about the kingdom.
However, her kindness is not to be mistaken for weakness for as it was stated before Persephone can be extremely wrathful and intimidating when provoked especially if it concerns her husband and children. Her wrathful side has shown to even unnerve deities from other pantheons, most notably the trickster god, Loki. It is said that at one point Loki desired to borrow the great hound Cerberus and Persephone gave him a term-limit for when he should return Cerberus. However, Loki was past the deadline and was fearful of returning Cerberus as a result but not because he was afraid of incurring Hades' wrath but more-so Persephone's.