He didnโt rape her, actually. For a moment, letโs entertain that the most commonly studied version of their story (titled The Rape of Persephone) is the correct one. In that context, the word Rape doesnโt refer to an actual sexual assault. It refers to a loss of innocence. When Persephone was taken to the underworld, she left her sheltered and controlled life and began to see things as they really were. Demeter is the definition of a helicopter parent, and because of that Persephone was naive and too trusting. Her time in the underworld kind of showed her that she needed to grow up, take charge of her own life and power, and through the process she fell in love with Hades.
However, thatโs not the only version of the story, and ones that predate it, state that Persephone not only seduced Hades, But went down to the underworld willingly-and ate the seeds knowing full well that it would bind her to the underworld. If anything, she did it at insurance to ensure that her mother couldnโt force her to stay up above by threatening to kill the mortals. There are also other stories that say that Demeter wasnโt Persephoneโs real mother, and that she was actually the child of Zeus and a nymph who resided in the River Styx, meaning she had been the queen of the underworld all along and had been restored to her rightful throne.
Letโs also remember that Persephone is a GODDESS. not a poor defenseless maiden. Had she defied Hades, he would have backed off. He may be a King, but given her power and will, she would not have let him boss her around and force her to do anything she didnโt want to do.
So no, Hades isnโt a rapist. His brothers are, but not him. Can we stop acting like that horrible version is the gospel and make an effort to study the other ones please?
dailybridgerton
blakekathryn
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tangentwithtanner
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