Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify objects that are important symbols for the characters or bigger ideas, and support their choices with details from the text.
The example below uses the Persephone Abduction myth, but many Greek myths that attempt to explain something have important symbols.
The pomegranate is a symbol for life and abundance, but also for death. The many seeds show the capability of new life & new growth. However, the pomegranate seems to bleed if it is cut, and it is the one thing that ties Persephone to the world of the dead.
Winter represents the time that Persephone spends in the Underworld. The living world seems suspended because the plants "die", the weather becomes harsh, and the days are shorter and darker.
Spring is Persephone's time. She returns from the Underworld and is reunited with her mother. Days become longer and warmer, plants come alive, and animals become active.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting important symbols in the story of Persephone.
Start by selecting key symbols from the Persephone myth, like the pomegranate and changing seasons. Ask open-ended questions to prompt students to think about what each symbol might represent. Encourage participation by inviting students to share personal interpretations and connect symbols to modern life.
Invite your class to identify other objects or motifs in the story that could be symbolic, such as flowers, darkness, or light. List ideas on the board and discuss why these might have meaning in the context of the myth.
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different symbol from the myth. Have them research its meaning using books or reliable online sources, then prepare a short presentation with visuals or drawings.
Ask students to choose a symbol from the Persephone myth and create their own story, poem, or artwork showing how that symbol could appear in their own life or culture. Share and discuss these creations with the class to deepen understanding.
The main symbols in the myth of Persephone are the pomegranate, which represents both life and death, winter symbolizing Persephone's time in the Underworld, and spring marking her return to the living world. Each symbol reflects deeper themes of change, growth, and the cycle of nature.
Students can create a storyboard by using a provided template to identify and illustrate important symbols from the Persephone myth. They should describe each symbol's meaning, show its role in the story, and use images or scenes to visually represent key moments.
The pomegranate is crucial because it ties Persephone to the Underworld. Its many seeds symbolize new life and growth, but eating it binds Persephone to Hades, reflecting the dual themes of life and death in the myth.
Winter represents the period when Persephone is in the Underworld. During this time, the earth grows cold and barren, reflecting Demeter's grief and making winter a symbol of loss and waiting.
This activity is best suited for grades 6-12. It encourages middle and high school students to explore Greek mythology through symbols, themes, and creative thinking.