164k views
23 votes
Read this excerpt from "Proserpine."

No comfort did the words of the Sun God bring to the longing soul of Demeter. And her wounded heart grew bitter. Because she suffered, others must suffer as well . . . Then upon the earth did there come dearth and drought and barrenness.

How does this incident provoke a decision in the story?

A) Because her love for Demeter is stronger than her love for Pluto, Proserpine decides to leave Hades and return to the earth..

B) In order to save the earth from perpetual suffering, Zeus decides to partially restore Proserpine to her mother.

C) Because he feels pity for Demeter, Pluto decides to release Proserpine from Hades despite his deep love for her.

D) In order to rescue her daughter from Hades, Demeter decides to enter the shadowy realm of Hades to search for Proserpine.

User Amalo
by
4.8k points

2 Answers

8 votes

Final answer:

The incident provokes a decision by Zeus to save earth from suffering caused by Demeter's grief, leading to the partial restoration of Proserpine (Persephone) to her mother.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from "Proserpine" describes the aftermath of Demeter's grief following the abduction of her daughter, Persephone, by Hades. The correct answer to how this incident provokes a decision in the story is B) In order to save the earth from perpetual suffering, Zeus decides to partially restore Proserpine to her mother. The suffering of Demeter affects the earth, causing Zeus to intervene and make a decision to alleviate the suffering by coming to a compromise regarding Persephone's time spent with her mother and in the underworld. This is a central theme in the myth, reflecting the natural cycle of the seasons and the agricultural fertility of the land associated with Demeter's emotional state and Persephone's presence on the surface.

User Xoned
by
4.7k points
9 votes
B in Oder to save the earth from perpetual , suffering, Zesus Hopes this helps have a Good day
User Phileas Fogg
by
4.9k points