A point of
this myth stands out to me now that didn’t before, and I think it’s related to
what I talked about regarding Loki with the myths surrounding Ragnarok. The
gods must tell the truth. Core (since it’s before she becomes Persephone) has
the opportunity to either refute Hades’s gardener—exposing him as a liar—or to
lie herself about eating the pomegranate seeds.
She does
neither.
Hades, when
he heard the gardener, was overjoyed that he would be able to swear an oath
about Core’s eating habits, so I think that the Greek gods are similarly bound
to the truth in the same way that the Norse gods are.
Core may
not have had to volunteer the information herself, but once brought to light,
she could not say a word against it because it was true. The gardener,
likewise, cannot lie. If we fold in the Bible, it seems there is a prohibition
against lying across the big three mythologies—with an exception made for
trickster figures. I’m now curious to see if the Egyptian would follow suit,
and the Hindu as well.
I think
it’s also important to point out that the prohibition is strictly against lying
as opposed to deception in general. Several of the Greek gods will employ
disguises by changing their shape. Zeus alone could write a book on how he has
used deception in order to have affairs with mortal women (a separate volume
would be for the goddesses).
So actions
are not as strictly relegated as speech, as if it possesses a different
quality—one more revered? In my recollection, none of the Greek gods has ever
spoken a falsehood, which is intriguing. While the Norse were quite clear that
Freyja had to speak the truth, there doesn’t appear to be anything overtly said
about this concerning the Greeks. However, just because it’s not overtly stated
doesn’t make it untrue. So far, whenever anything is spoken, it is the complete
truth. Zeus even holds his tongue with Hades, saying neither yes or no
regarding permission to court Core.
When
Demeter refuses to let the crops grow, she is not bluffing, as it appears she
would be incapable of such. She is speaking an absolute truth that she will
destroy all of humanity if her daughter is not returned to her. This also makes
it clear that there is no negotiation to be had, no bargain to be struck. It is
an absolute truth.
This idea
makes for an interesting thought regarding one of Zeus’s myths, where he
requires an oath from the other gods. It bears further investigation,
certainly.