Conclusion:

When Hermes, Zeus’ messenger, arrives in the Underworld and asks for Persephone’s return, he finds that she is even more beautiful and wise than when she left. She feels torn between her mother and Hades, but decides to get in the chariot and return to her mother, Demeter. When she arrives, Demeter is overjoyed, and the crops return to health and the sun shines. But after learning of Persephone’s experiences in the Underworld, Demeter fears that things can never be the same as they once were, and she remembers that Zeus declared that, in order to stay in the Physical World, Persephone must remain pure. Because she has tasted the pomegranate seeds, Persephone has tasted the fruit of life and cannot stay in the Physical World eternally. It is decided that because Persephone has tasted four seeds, she shall remain in the Physical World for four months, and then return to the Underworld for four months. This ritual explains the change from summer (when Persephone is with her mother) to winter (when she is with her husband).

Activity: One Seed Ritual Chants:

  • Split students into two groups: summer and winter. They create a ritualized movement in a circle and a chant for their season that begins “One seed, one month of. . .” for four chants.

For example:      

One seed, one month of cold wind

One seed, one month of withering trees

One seed, one month of ice and frost

One seed, one month of winter chill

  • Five volunteers play Zeus, Persephone, Demeter, Hades and Hermes. Demeter and Zeus stand in the centre of the “summer” circle and Hades in the “winter” circle. Hermes guides Persephone from one circle to another while the groups take turns chanting and presenting their ritual movements.

Final Reflection Activity: The Space Between.

  •  The students playing the roles of Demeter, Zeus, Hades and Persephone stand apart from one another in the space. The rest of the class stands in close proximity to the character for whom they feel the most sympathy. Follow this exercise with reflection questions for the class:
    • Why did you choose to stand near a certain character? Why do you feel sympathy for this character?
    • Is there a particular character you relate to? Why?
    • How does the story of Persephone relate to our own lives? How does the story connect to themes of growing up, leaving home, falling in love, separating from our parents and “leaving the nest”?

Possible Discussion/Journal Starters:

This drama made me feel. . .

This drama reminded me of. . .