5: The Feminine Divine
- Page ID
- 275201
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 5.1: The Great Goddess
- Scientific names, specific planetary ones, reflect humanity's bias toward male deities, where as female deities are often cast as inferior to the physically mightier gods. Yet, the two planets named for female representations, Venus and Earth, convey even more significant values.
- 5.2: Gaea--the Greek Great Mother Goddess
- Gaea, the primary mother goddess in Greek mythology, is a symbol of creation via her cosmic womb, which embodies both birth and death. Gaea is described as having the power of parthenogenesis, creating life without a male partner. Inspired by Eros, she births significant entities like Ouranos, the mountains, and the sea, setting the stage for human existence.
- 5.3: Subjugation of the Great Goddess
- Martial conquest by Indo-European tribes invited regime change, and those conquerers subsequently introduced a male warrior pantheon that marginalized previous belief systems centered on a powerful Goddess. The Goddess's attributes were reassigned within the new patriarchal framework, often portraying feminine figures as diminished or dangerous, like the Gorgon. Positive associations were redirected to Olympian goddesses compliant with the new patriarchal order.
- 5.4: The Goddess Divided
- Mythographer Robert Graves views myths as narratives of historically significant events like invasions. If this is correct, the division of the Great Goddess's attributes mirrors transitions away from agrarian societies in favor of warrior-conquerer societies. To cement male concepts of power, it becomes necessary to decentralize the power of the Great Goddess into goddesses who serve the new male-centric pantheon.
- 5.5: Applying Literary Theories to Demeter’s Myth
- The "Homeric Hymn to Demeter" relates a poignant story of devotion and necessary separation between a mother and daughter. Various literary theories and mythic classifications can be applied to uncover deeper meanings, with some offering particularly useful insights.
- 5.6: The Homeric Hymn to Demeter
- The "Homeric Hymn to Demeter" is an ancient Greek epic poem reflecting on the themes of loss, alienation, and redemption through the story of the abduction of Kore (Persephone) by Hades, and Demeter's sorrow and subsequent actions. This work, dating from the seventh century BCE, is notable for its exploration of feminine experiences and its insights into the Eleusinian Mysteries, ancient rites tied to agricultural practices.
- 5.7: Demeter Reading Response
- Reading responses are a way to reflect and interact with the text, allowing students to demonstrate their ability to move beyond simple summary and demonstrate critical insight into the text.
- 5.8: Study Questions
- Study questions offer an opportunity for individual or group interaction with the text.
- 5.9: Bibliography
- The following bibliography contains books and resources referenced and/or adapted for Chapter 5.