The primary conflict in the tale of Persephone involves her abduction by Hades, the god of the underworld. As the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, Persephone’s disappearance results in her mother’s grief, leading to the seasonal cycle of growth and decay. Ultimately, the resolution of this conflict—Persephone's return to the surface for part of the year—symbolizes themes of life, death, and the changing seasons in Greek mythology.