Hades feared that the trimmers on the land might let light into the Underworld. So he moved up to the surface to get a closer look on the situation. While this was happening, Aphrodite and Eros (known as Cupid) were watching Persephone. Eros and Aphrodite were offended that Athena and Artemis were virgin and pure, so they denied the idea of passion and love. Persephone was on the same path. In order to maintain her abstinence, her mom took her away from Mt. Olympus, where she was tempted by other gods. Aphrodite noticed Hades had his eyes on Persephone. And that is not okay because Hades is immune to the influence of the goddess of love. Knowing this, they still tried to strike him with Eros’ arrow. Hades fell in love and took her to the Underworld with him. This is when she fell into a deep depression. Zeus didn’t want Persephone to come back because she was tainted by Hades’ influence. Demeter then threatened to make all land infertile. Zeus, intimidated, made an exception. ONLY if she didn’t eat anything given by Hades. Persephone’s bond with the underworld cannot be undone since she ate a pomegranate from Hades. Hades proposed that Persephone spend half the year with him, and half the year with her mom.

“And so the seasons began.”

This myth caught my attention because as a ‘bookworm’ this story totally falls under the “good girl, bad boy” trope! Like “Twisted Love” by Ana Huang. It also shocked me how Hades is one of the only gods who was faithful to his wife, wow.

Hubris, or otherwise known as pride, is a highly self intuition that one is better in any way than another around them. It's a form of self-importance, or self-focus. Which disregards others needs or consideration to them.

Arachne is pictured as a prideful being. She, according to the story 'Metamorphoses' was an excellent weaver, who also had many creations she claimed were better than Athena. Who Arachne decided to challenge Athena to a wavering challenge. After the challenge, Athena won, and turned Arachne into a spider, to show her punishment for disrespecting the gods.

I found this story interesting because it reminded me of the first sin, in a religious historical book called "The Bible". Which explains the story of many different sins, one of them being named Pride. And I believe that both of those stories were connected in some certain way.

The myth of Apollo and Daphne has always been one of my favorite Greek myths. It's a heart aching one, causing you to feel sorrow for both Apollo and Daphne. In this myth, Daphne is presented as a nymph who was independent and a marriage-hating huntress. There were many other nymphs just like Daphne, but Apollo specifically fell head over heels for her. Daphne has refused the hands of all the handsome young men who wooed her, not wanting any lovers. Her father, river-god Peneus, would scold her, but Daphne coaxed him into allowing her to be free. She then ran into the woods, blissful in her freedom until Apollo saw her. They say Daphne was Apollo's first true love, making this story all the more saddening. Struck by love, Apollo began to chase after her. Daphne fled, being an excellent runner, causing Apollo to struggle until he called out to her, telling her to not be frightened. Daphne did not turn back, instead her fear and pace increased. She eventually stumbled upon her father's river, crying out to him for help. Once those words were out, a dragging numbness came upon her, her feet appearing rooted into the earth. She became enclosed in bark, leaves sprouting forth as she had been changed into a tree, a laurel tree. Apollo stood back and witnessed the transformation in dismay, his love turning into a tree. Though his love did not fade once, instead, he made the laurel tree one of his symbols in remembrance and out of love for Daphne. This story stands out to me because of the way Apollo reacted. He did not fall out of love immediately after the transformation, but made Daphne a part of his legacy. The way that Peneus helped Daphne bothers me quite a bit, considering it did not really help. Though, I do see how it DID help, basically changing her physical appearance. I would have preferred something related to water as help, since Peneus IS the river-god. All the more, this myth is a delicate one, definitely recommended for people who enjoy doomed lovers!