Pan's Labyrinth Essay

Throughout history, Greek civilians have created a variety of myths recounting the feats of gods and goddesses that serve as a rationale for the existence of natural phenomena within the human world. Greek mythology has, thus, had a significant impact on the culture of many civilizations. From the past to the present, writers, and artists often have found inspiration as well as contemporary pertinence within mythological themes present in Greek tales. As a result, many have altered the core of a myth to develop a distinct variant of the tale. For example, acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro drew inspiration from a wide range of Greek myths to create the world within his 2006 film ‘Pan's Labyrinth’.‘Pan's Labyrinth’ depicts the aftermath

of the Spanish Civil War through the eyes of Ophelia, an innocent child, and the magical realm she comes across in the woods. Del Toro incorporates the myth of Persephone, entailing the abduction of Persephone by Hades who claims her as his wife and queen of the Underworld, into the plot to craft a beautiful yet disturbing film. Through the use of symbolism, Del Toro inverts the core of the myth of Persephone by altering the themes of female maturity, the patriarchal standards placed upon them, and the submission to male authority.
The myth of Persephone embodies the theme of maturity and growth.

Del Toro, however, inverts this theme within ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ by modifying the step taken by Ofelia toward puberty and altering the way in which it changes the course of her life. In ‘Homeric Hymn to Demeter’, Persephone is offered a pomegranate by Hades and is ordered to consume it. Persephone reluctantly obeys, symbolically maturing. There is, however, a danger associated with eating in the Underworld, for those who do so become eternally tied within Hades’s realm. It is this course of action that ultimately transforms Persephone's life. Persephone symbolically reverts to an adolescent state of mind when she is with her mother, Demeter. As a result, Persephone fails to fully mature. Del Toro parallels this occurrence in ‘Pan's Labyrinth’, however, in a way which exemplifies Ofelia’s maturity without reversion. During one of her quests, Ofelia is nearly captured by the Pale Man when the lure of an elaborate feast causes her to fall into temptation. Despite being warned against eating from the Pale Man's table, Ofelia does so, anyway. This act of defiance allows Ofelia to realize that her actions can have negative repercussions – including death. Upon learning from her mistake, Ofelia is able to begin maturing into a young woman. With each quest, Ofelia continues to mature ultimately leading to the ultimate symbol of her maturity in the film. Del Toro inverts the theme of female maturity and growth within

Persephone's tale, aiding in the development of a powerful character.
The myth of Persephone revolves around the significance of the patriarchal standards placed upon women.

Del Toro, however, inverts this theme within Pan's Labyrinth by having the protagonist reject the patriarchal values impressed upon her. In the myth of Persephone, Persephone lives within a patriarchal society. Upon her abduction, Persephone is forced to marry, succumbing to the ultimate patriarchal standard established within her world. Persephone must accept her fate and remain obedient to Hades, unendingly honoring his commands. Del Toro, however, has Ofelia deny the patriarchal value of beauty and motherhood throughout the film. For example, Ofelia dirties various articles of clothing, including a new dress, when completing the tasks presented to her. In doing so, Ofelia rejects a patriarchal standard of beauty. To continue, following her mother's death during childbirth, Ofelia decides that she will never have a child. This rejection of motherhood opposes what patriarchal societies demands of women. Through the examples of defiance, Del Toro continues to produce a strong female

character.