There are numerous images of Medusa in an almost angel-like state, or even once she had been cursed, images where the snakes in her hair function as more of an accessory rather than something fearsome.
#Did poseidon rape medusa full#
She is the symbol of what female power looks like in the face of threatened male authorityĪncient Greek artists originally portrayed Medusa “ as an almost comically hideous figure, with a lolling tongue, full beard, and bulging eyes.” This image of Medusa began to shift when “ mustache stubble was replaced by smooth cheeks, and fangs concealed by shapely lips,” as Classical artists began to feminize her once again. Then her “ severed head, capable of transfixion even in death, is carted away to help him defeat the villain of his story.” There is a painful recognition in the fact that Medusa’s head - the center of her knowledge and power - is taken from her in order to empower a man and to fight his battles for him. Only to be stalked and haunted constantly by status-seeking men, and inevitably, murdered by Perseus. She is then cast out and cursed by her own sister. Our image of Medusa is one of pure evil, but in reality, she is raped and impregnated by her rapist. In the 1994 book, Female Rage: Unlocking Its Secrets, Claiming Its Power, the authors claimed that “when they asked women what female rage looked like to them, it was always Medusa…who came to mind…In one interview after another they were told that Medusa is ‘the most horrific woman in the world.’” None of the women they interview could remember the details of the myth, and perhaps, had they been able to, they would have had a different perspective. During the late 20th century, feminists began to reassess the myth of Medusa. She is the opposite of what Michael Foucault called, “ docile bodies.” A concept in which women are expected to conform and submit to the enforced codes and structures of a patriarchal society.
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As we’ve mentioned, the myth of Medusa can be interpreted in various ways, but I think perhaps the most fascinating analysis is done through a feminist perspective because it unveils just how swift we are to circumvent female rage.ĭespite her origin story being one of purity and renowned beauty, Medusa has come to connote only malevolence and her role as a gorgon, or mythical monster.
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From her severed neck, her child Pegasus is born. Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of Medusa’s story is that she was pregnant with Poseidon’s child when she was killed. Without the support of the gods, he would have been petrified like every other warrior. It is only with help from all of the gods that Perseus is able to not only kill but fully decapitate her. Many warriors are sent to kill her, including Perseus. In order to punish her, Athena curses Medusa by replacing her beautiful hair with a head of venomous snakes and making it so anyone who looks into her eyes will be turned to stone.Īt this point, Medusa’s head became a desired trophy for many warriors who wanted to brave her fierce monster-like powers.
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When Athena discovers that Posidon has raped Medusa, she chooses to blame her rather than him. Athena is one of Poseidon’s sworn enemies, and through raping her sister, he is able to take power from her. Although Athena had the power to prevent this, she chooses not to. Eventually, Medusa attracts the attention of Poseidon, who subsequently rapes her.
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Athena grows jealous, as many men flock to her, only to glance at Medusa instead. She becomes a priestess to her sister Athena and vows to her sister to remain pure. Medusa was one of three daughters - born with extraordinary beauty and stunning hair. In order to unpack the feminist implication of the mythology, let’s begin with the narrative of her story. The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism - including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis.įrom a feminist perspective, Medusa’s story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of one’s power. Often times, this has allowed us to garner some sort of fable-like lesson from the stories of the Illiad or Metamorphoses. The stories of ancient Greek and Roman mythology have, over the years, been rediscovered, repurposed, and reinterpreted in more modern contexts. Detail from Medusa by Antonio Canova, 1804–06, via The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York