According to Greek Mythology, the daughter of Demeter and Zeus was the Goddess of Spring Persephone. Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, the God of the Underworld along with Zeus while she was picking flowers with Artemis and Athena. Demeter was outraged and would not allow anything to grow until Persephone was returned. But, Hades wished to marry her and fed 6 pomegranate seeds to Persephone which bound her to the Underworld, a month for each seed. Zeus intervened as to stop the death of the mortals from starvation and bring back the fruit of the earth. It was then decided that for 6 months out of the year, Persephone would live in the underworld with her Husband who she has grown to love. Lessons of this Myth: There are always consequences to your actions, outcomes are not always liked or wanted for any party and tings happen for a reason. Family is not to be underestimated and will do anything for each other.
Using the tone of the poem is we can see Distress and Love. Millay shows in lines 3 and 6 and 9-10, how Hades may have felt with Persephone right after her capture. Those lines show that in Hades loneliness, he wanted Persephone to know that he cares for her and that she would grow to love him and their new home. Millay illustrates Persephone, Upset and crying after being kidnapped and held against her will. "Take her head upon your knee;/Say to her, 'My dear, my dear,/ It is not so dreadful here" (Millay lines 9-11). "Prayer to Persephone" shows Hades knowing that Hell isn't where one would wish to be and how he understands how she is feeling. It creates the mood of unhappiness yet an underlying love. Hades kidnapped Persephone out of love yet knew that she didn't have a need of him (Millay 2-6).
Credits:
Created with images by Michael Badger - "Persephone" • summonedbyfells - "THE GRAVE OF SYLVIA PLATH HUGHES"