When comparing Isis and Osiris from Plutarch’s De Iside et Osiride to The Homeric Hymn to Demeter it is very easy to notice the many similarities. For example, the similarities between the characters in terms of their personalities, and journey. Especially between Isis and Demeter who both go on a search for their loved one and grieve in a similar fashion. However, towards the end of myths more differentiating qualities arises between the two goddesses. Moreover, the two myths also have noticeably similar themes such as grief, love, loss, betrayal and anger. However, forgiveness is a theme that appears only in Isis and Osiris and revenge only appears in The Homeric Hymn to Demeter. So, overall despite some major differences, mainly in the events …show more content…
Osiris was placed in a coffin and left for dead whereas Persephone was taken in a chariot into the underworld. So obviously, the way they were taken and the fact that Persephone is alive whereas Osiris is dead are major differences in these two events. But, if you look at who took them and the consequences of these events you notice certain similarities. In both cases, it was the respective brother of the two goddesses who took Osiris and Persephone and mostly for personal reasons. Isis’ brother “(…) Typhon contrived a treacherous plot against [Osiris] (…)”. (Plutarch, Isis and Osiris De Iside et Osiride, p.448) though is not explicitly stated in the story, we can understand that Typhon devised this plot to remove Osiris from the throne in order to replace him as king. According to Helios, Persephone was taken by “(…) no one other than cloud-gatherer Zeus (...) who gave her to his own brother Hades to be called his robust wife.” (The Homeric Hymn to Demeter, p.481). As stated earlier, the reason and execution of the events were different but they both stemmed from the betrayal of siblings all for their own personal vendetta; Typhon wanted to be king and Hades wanted a wife and …show more content…
By them starting off with a more peaceful approach rather than the hostile version shows that, they value humans in their own way and would rather not have to take advantage of humans being weaker. But rather give them the choice, though irrefutable, to help the goddesses. However, when their plan fails, the chances of getting their loved one back through peacefully means decreased, so they experience strong feelings of grief expressed through anger and harsh action. Isis in her state of anger caused “(…) the younger of the king’s sons [to expire] on the spot, (…), dried up [a] stream (…) [and] a child [who] could not endure [her] fright and died.” (Plutarch, Isis and Osiris De Iside et Osiride, p.450). Demeter in her pain caused “(…) the earth [to] not even produce seed (…)” (The Homeric Hymn to Demeter, p.482), in other words, a famine. They both wanted in this moment for everyone around them to experience their pain of loss and death. However, what is interesting to see is Isis has a more forgiving nature and Demeter a more revengeful nature. Isis who is forced to search for Osiris twice might make her more inclined to seek revenge against Typhon yet she “ (…) did not cause him to be put to death but released him (…)” (Plutarch, Isis and Osiris, De Iside et Osiride, p.451). Demeter, on the other hand, as stated earlier seeks revenge against Zeus and takes her anger