The Greek myth of Demeter's revenge - Iseult Gillespie
video description
Date: 2024-03-26
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 18
TheVoiceOfReason93
In Ovid's retelling of the story, Mestra returned to her father as a donkey after being transformed into one by the gods to escape being sold into slavery, only for her father to eat her in her transformed state just to sate his hunger (don't worry, the gods helped her escape again. Erysichthon crawled back to the grove where he spurned Demeter begging for forgiveness, and when that was not given, he ate himself in his hunger until there was nothing was left of him on Earth by morning.
reply
In Ovid's retelling of the story, Mestra returned to her father as a donkey after being transformed into one by the gods to escape being sold into slavery, only for her father to eat her in her transformed state just to sate his hunger (don't worry, the gods helped her escape again. Erysichthon crawled back to the grove where he spurned Demeter begging for forgiveness, and when that was not given, he ate himself in his hunger until there was nothing was left of him on Earth by morning.
reply
ted_ed
I remember this story but this is the more family friendly version. The version I first knew about had the king run back to the forest where it all began and devour himself until he ate himself out of existence. Suffice to say, I prefer this version a lot better. I think he also tried to eat his daughter in that darker version of the story too.
reply
I remember this story but this is the more family friendly version. The version I first knew about had the king run back to the forest where it all began and devour himself until he ate himself out of existence. Suffice to say, I prefer this version a lot better. I think he also tried to eat his daughter in that darker version of the story too.
reply
user-sn2oq4qt7b
This story is very sad and still relevant to this day in most poor countries. Children being sold by their parents to help the family to get by not because of greed. The father obviously got food adiction its an illness now and should not be taken lightly.
reply
This story is very sad and still relevant to this day in most poor countries. Children being sold by their parents to help the family to get by not because of greed. The father obviously got food adiction its an illness now and should not be taken lightly.
reply
zmnicvander
I wonder how much we're reading into this story with our postmodernist gaze, and what was the original meaning and interpretation of this story. I immediately noted some keywords that clearly denoted a contemporary reinterpretation.
reply
I wonder how much we're reading into this story with our postmodernist gaze, and what was the original meaning and interpretation of this story. I immediately noted some keywords that clearly denoted a contemporary reinterpretation.
reply
jagirl966
In some versions, she returns to her father in the form of a donkey, but cannot shapeshift, so can't return to human form. He recognizes her and says, I'm sorry, but I need more before devouring her.
reply
In some versions, she returns to her father in the form of a donkey, but cannot shapeshift, so can't return to human form. He recognizes her and says, I'm sorry, but I need more before devouring her.
reply
planktonfun1
Doubt. Shapeshift is like the ultimate power, why can't she just transform into a goose that lays a golden egg or transform into another god and cure him. the possibilities are endless.
reply
Doubt. Shapeshift is like the ultimate power, why can't she just transform into a goose that lays a golden egg or transform into another god and cure him. the possibilities are endless.
reply
Morrneyo
I've loved the King Erysichthon myth ever since I was a child. It's so cruel and bizarre.
In the book I read, Erysichthon ate up his body, leaving just a bunch of teeth.
reply
I've loved the King Erysichthon myth ever since I was a child. It's so cruel and bizarre.
In the book I read, Erysichthon ate up his body, leaving just a bunch of teeth.
reply
Seek-God-First
Inspires me to stop eating so much. And realize that gluttony is ungodly, & not of God and one of the seven deadly sins.
Thank you for this inspired reminder.
reply
Inspires me to stop eating so much. And realize that gluttony is ungodly, & not of God and one of the seven deadly sins.
Thank you for this inspired reminder.
reply
ted_ed
Ancient Greek mythology is such a great mirror for humanity. So many stories of terrible beings doing terrible things, but these behaviors are sadly not unrealistic.
reply
Ancient Greek mythology is such a great mirror for humanity. So many stories of terrible beings doing terrible things, but these behaviors are sadly not unrealistic.
reply
j. a. velarde5901
Its so sad to see the Ancient Greeks portray the sins of the Father pass on to(or adversely affected) the children. There is truth to this, of course.
reply
Its so sad to see the Ancient Greeks portray the sins of the Father pass on to(or adversely affected) the children. There is truth to this, of course.
reply
louissanchez6864
One lesson i could take from this is that she was free right from the beginning it was only her choice the brings the illusion she was caged.
reply
One lesson i could take from this is that she was free right from the beginning it was only her choice the brings the illusion she was caged.
reply
huynhtienat4445
I like Ted Ed's work on Greek mythology. Coincidentally, I was reading about Ascalaphus (son of Acheron) being punished by Demeter
reply
I like Ted Ed's work on Greek mythology. Coincidentally, I was reading about Ascalaphus (son of Acheron) being punished by Demeter
reply
X23Ninja
In the actual story King Erysichthon actually ate his daughter when she came back to him in donkey form before moving onto her own body
reply
In the actual story King Erysichthon actually ate his daughter when she came back to him in donkey form before moving onto her own body
reply
mennamomtaz7511
I've been in love with Iseult's voice for 5 years now. In addition to my love for the myth's videos in particular. Thanks TED
reply
I've been in love with Iseult's voice for 5 years now. In addition to my love for the myth's videos in particular. Thanks TED
reply
stephenwright414
One day we will tell tales like this of the old growth forests cleared in British Columbia to appease rich peoples profits.
reply
One day we will tell tales like this of the old growth forests cleared in British Columbia to appease rich peoples profits.
reply
ted_ed
This version is more light-hearted than the one I had read before. His hunger became so strong that he completely consumed himself.
reply
This version is more light-hearted than the one I had read before. His hunger became so strong that he completely consumed himself.
reply
user-zg4pw2nu8i
No matter what the story nor the lesson was, the Greek Gods were absolute jerks who cared nothing for humans nor animals.
reply
No matter what the story nor the lesson was, the Greek Gods were absolute jerks who cared nothing for humans nor animals.
reply
ThinksFarToMuch
Myths are not stories that are simply untrue, rather they tell us something about ourselves and the societies we live in.
reply
Myths are not stories that are simply untrue, rather they tell us something about ourselves and the societies we live in.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
