The Beauty of Persephone Proserpina
In Greek Mythology, Hades, hit by Cupid’s arrow and fell in love with the first woman he saw, abducted the spring goddess, Persephone, and carried her over to the Underworld. With Persephone gone, her mother, the goddess of earth, was so heartbroken that she left the soil barren, and the world became lifeless without spring. When Zeus heard the cries from the hungry people, he forced Hades to return Persephone. Persephone was thrilled over the news, but just as she thought she could get her happy life back, she discovered that Hades’ love had got to her….
The Process And The Inspiration
The story of Persephone is very interesting with respect to its impact on feminist research and theories, such as the issues of women’s ‘split identity’ after married and the ‘indirect power’ they possess, etc. Mother’s daughter will eventually grow up; she will desire independence and a family of her own. Sharing the same feature of Oedipus complex, Persephone, unlike when she was still the sweet spring goddess, displayed awesome power and strong self-assurance as Queen of the Underworld.
What I wanted to express through a mixture of leather, wool, and chiffon lace; contrast between bright and dark colors, and blends of different blue in the shape of layers of wrap is the conflict facing many women between their immediate families and the outside world. Despite the head of four seasons, Persephone could not even control her own fate. The long black chiffon skirt symbolizes her transition from innocent spring goddess to powerful Queen of the Underworld. In addition, the withering of her laurel crown signifies the pass of spring. My use of contrast colors and mixture of soft and stiff fabrics create a strong level of conflict. Embroidery, though time-consuming, is worth every minute because it reflects the power of women that transforms weakness into strength as time goes by.
Persephone is often seen as reflection of the “dark side” of women. Growing up in the shadow of a powerful mother, she is eager for independence and a family of her own. Like the female version of Oedipus complex, Persephone seeks to overthrow patriarchy and rule a kingdom all to herself. As both Queen of the Underworld and the spring goddess, there lies potentially a great conflict between her two identities, just as women of today often strive to cope with the conflict between family and the world outside. By means of wool, leather, and lace, and a contrast between the bright and the dark, I hoped to reflect such conflict that faces most women today. Also, embroidery, though time-consuming, resembles the power of women that transforms weakness into strength. Just as Persephone who turned her husband’s mistress into mint rather than taking up the role of a meek wife.In light of most feminist issues, it is not difficult to find out that the pressure facing many women today comes not only from themselves, but also from others. Persephone’s father, Zeus, is a womanizer, and therefore her mother, Demeter, has little choice but to give Persephone all her attention. Fearing that men might take Persephone away from her, Demeter rejects all her daughter’s pursuers, including the sun god, Apollo. As their lives interdependent on each other, Persephone can expect to bring herself a great deal of pressure if she irritates her mother.
In light of most feminist issues, it is not difficult to find out that the pressure facing many women today comes not only from themselves, but also from others. Persephone’s father, Zeus, is a womanizer, and therefore her mother, Demeter, has little choice but to give Persephone all her attention. Fearing that men might take Persephone away from her, Demeter rejects all her daughter’s pursuers, including the sun god, Apollo. As their lives interdependent on each other, Persephone can expect to bring herself a great deal of pressure if she irritates her mother.
People tend to think of the Spring goddess as innocent and gentile, but Persephone’s other identity as Queen of the underworld makes her even tougher than her mother. She not only fought against other goddesses over handsome young men, but also turned her husband’s mistress into mint. By using two seemingly conflicting fabrics – leather and chiffon, I attempted to present the two sides of a woman; that is, she can be innocent and cruel at the same time. A woman like Persephone can be gentile most of the time, but as soon as she feels threatened, she will do everything to protect who and what she loves.
According to Dante’s La Divine Commedia, Inferno is on the other side of Hell where souls are gathered to repent for their sins. However, Persephone never wanted to repent; rather, she indulged herself in Hades’ love and enjoyed great power as queen of the underworld. The asymmetrical cut of the skirt (knee-high length on the front and full-length in the back) signifies how Persephone always got what she wanted (in this case, her beauty from Venus) by abusing the power she had from Hades, just as the way some women today gain social power with the help from their husbands.
