top of page
Image by Álvaro Serrano
Search

Dangerous Beauty : Medusa Through the Ages

  • Writer: Bhargav Sen Bhowmick
    Bhargav Sen Bhowmick
  • Aug 20, 2024
  • 7 min read

Updated: Nov 15, 2024

An illustration of Medusa
Medusa by Tyler Lockett

The treacherous monster, with a callous countenance of baring fangs, leathery skin, razor-sharp talons, and writhing snakes for hair. Her eyes which turn the bravest to stone, not one who pursues her shall live to tell the tale- the infamous Medusa.

Can you believe this distasteful being was once a thing of beauty? Or was she a born Gorgon? This is what we ought to figure.


From time immemorial, mythology has evolved and transformed, changing and adapting its way through the ages and finally into the versions we see today. The myth of Medusa is one such myth that has raised many eyebrows because there are countless versions and retellings of her story—each as petrifying (pun intended) as the other.


Summary:

The text delves into the multifaceted myth of Medusa, exploring her evolution from a monstrous figure to a symbol of victimization and empowerment in contemporary retellings. It traces the various interpretations of Medusa's story, from her origins as a severed head in ancient literature to modern adaptations that challenge traditional portrayals. Through examples of contemporary works like "Stone Blind" and "Medusa Uploaded," the text highlights themes of resilience, agency, and the reevaluation of female narratives within patriarchal contexts. It invites readers to ponder the complexities of Medusa's character and the shifting perspectives shaping her legacy.




Archaic Literature:

Medusa starts as a severed head, and I mean literally. First mentions of Medusa can be traced back to Homer's Odyssey, where the hero Odysseus describes her as “gripped by pale fear lest royal Persephone send up the head of that ghastly monster, the Gorgon, from Hades’ House.” (XI. 633). A face so austere that it made one of the greatest heroes tremble in fear.

A bronze shield brandished with a gorgon's head
A Re-imagination of Athena's Aegis

There are mentions of Medusa's head in other works of Homer such as- The Iliad, where the goddess Athena's shield- the Aegis is brandished with it or the when the hero Agamemnon wears it on his breastplate and it is described as “grim and glaring fiercely, was depicted at the top, with Terror and Rout on either side.” (XI. 36).

It is quite surprising that we do not have any sort of backstory of how the severed head came to be in the first place. No knowledge of her person, no understanding of her character, she is only depicted as an object- a mere tool to wreak havoc.


Hesiod in his Theogony (700 B.C. Greece), portrayed Medusa as the only mortal sister of the monstrous gorgon trinity- Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa who were the daughters of the primordial ocean gods- Phorcys and Keto (Theogony, 278). He also wrote that Poseidon made love with her “in a soft meadow amid spring flowers." (Theogony 287). Thus, according to this myth, Medusa was a monster by birth and was one of the many mates of the Sea God.

But this does not sound like the myth you heard right? The one where the Sea God violates Medusa in an Athenian temple and Athena thus curses her? This is because the earliest writings of the myth have no mention of Athena or Poseidon's violent act. Thus, we ought to figure out where the whole the-gods-are-bad-guys notion originated from.


In ancient times, it was quite common for heroes/demigods- half god-half man (yes, the gods had many kids with mortals) to go on quests, and these quests were not your random backyard treasure hunt, they were actual life-threatening tasks. One such quest is that of the hero Perseus, a son of Zeus (Zeus literally is the father of almost half the characters of the Greek myths). Perseus' journey (a very long story) as described in the Bibliotheca (post-3rd c. BCE) of beheading the gorgon plays a pivotal role in tying up the entire myth.

Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini

His journey is full of perils and hazards and it is believed that he received help from the goddess Athena (who gave him a reflective shield that he would use to behead Medusa), the god Hermes (who gave him the winged shoes), and the god Hades (who gave him the helmet of invisibility).

And this is when the notion of Athena's envy is introduced. Pseudo-Apollodorus writes: “It is alleged by some that Medusa was beheaded for Athena’s sake, and they say that the Gorgon was fain to match herself with the goddess even in beauty.” (2.4.3) From here on the thing about Athena's grudge gets factored into the many versions of the myth.


Later, In Ovid's "Metamorphosis" (8 A.D. ROME (700 years later!), Ovid writes:

was once most beautiful, and the jealous aspiration of many suitors. Of all her beauties none was more admired than her hair…They say that Neptune, lord of the seas, violated her in the temple of Minerva. Jupiter’s daughter turned away, and hid her chaste eyes behind her aegis. So that it might not go unpunished, she changed the Gorgon’s hair to foul snakes. And now, to terrify her enemies, numbing them with fear, the goddess wears the snakes, that she created, as a breastplate.(Metamorphoses Bk IV)


This, here is the version that we're all most familiar with. In this version, Medusa was once an extremely beautiful maiden, she was a priestess in an Athenian temple and to become one she had to remain chaste and pure. Many came to woo her but she turned them down, even the god of the sea- Poseidon, but he forced himself upon her. Ovid uses the Latin word "vitiasse" (defiled, or corrupted) to describe the encounter between Poseidon and Medusa. Enraged by this desecration of her temple, Athena transformed Medusa into a monstrous figure with snakes for hair and a gaze that turned people to stone.

An image of the poem Metamorphoses
Metamorphoses by Ovid

Of course, the original text by Ovid is more roman with the gods being in their roman aspect- Poseidon (god of sea) as Neptune, Athena (goddess of wisdom) as Minerva (Athena/Minerva is a daughter of Zeus) and Zeus (the god of sky) as Jupiter. But the crux of it remains the same.

It is alleged that Ovid was one particular poet who had a peculiar disrepute towards the gods, and thus, to spite them, he painted them in a bad light. Here, he beautifully represented the ugly irony in which, Minerva punishes the victim Medusa, and not the perpetrator Neptune. And obviously, Neptune's monstrous act of forcing himself upon her is just well... (I would write more about it, but I have a feeling that the god would not like me ranting about him).


Contemporary Literature:


1. Retelling in "Stone Blind"

One significant contemporary retelling is Natalie Haynes' novel "Stone Blind," which presents the story of Medusa from multiple perspectives, offering an exploration of her transformation and the societal attitudes toward her character. This narrative emphasizes themes of victimization, agency, and the unjust treatment of women, contrasting traditional portrayals of Medusa as solely monstrous with a more empathetic treatment.


2. "Here, the World Entire" by Anwen Kya Hayward

Another notable retelling is Anwen Kya Hayward's "Here, the World Entire," which delves into Medusa's internal thoughts as she grapples with her transformation and solitude. This memoir-style narrative highlights her emotional journey, revealing the complexities of her character as she reflects on her past, the circumstances leading to her fate, and the broader implications of female rage and empowerment.


3. "MEdusa: Confessions of an Angry Black Girl" by Cotty Davis

Cotty Davis' "MEdusa: Confessions of an Angry Black Girl" connects Medusa's myth to contemporary issues faced by women, specifically in discussing themes of trauma and resilience within a cultural context. The protagonist experiences struggles with identity and self-worth, drawing parallels to Medusa's legacy and the societal pressures that resonate with modern audiences.


4. Young Adult Interpretations in "Sweet Venom"

In the young adult urban fantasy "Sweet Venom" by Tera Lynn Childs, the story is set in San Francisco, where teenage girls discover they are descendants of Medusa. They navigate a world filled with mythical creatures, ultimately learning to embrace their heritage while confronting the challenges that come with it. This retelling allows for a more playful and empowering exploration of Medusa's legacy and the strength of female friendships.


5. Science Fiction Rendition in "Medusa Uploaded"

Emily Devenport's "Medusa Uploaded" offers a science fiction twist to the Medusa myth, placing Medusa in the context of a futuristic world. In this narrative, Medusa becomes an AI armor that aids the protagonist in her journey toward power and control, addressing themes of revenge and rebellion against oppressive forces. This interpretation showcases Medusa's adaptability as a symbol of strength beyond her traditional role.



​Contemporary retellings of Medusa often emphasize themes of victimization, empowerment, and the reassessment of female narratives within patriarchal contexts.​ These stories challenge the traditional depictions of Medusa as a mere monster, instead portraying her complexity and resilience, ultimately advocating for a more nuanced understanding of her character and legacy.




Concluding thoughts...

The Dangerous Beauty of Medusa Through the Ages. What do you think about the myth of Medusa? Do you prefer modern interpretations that say Athena gave Medusa a boon instead of a curse to protect herself from anyone who pursues her? I believe that it is not very wise for the wisdom goddess Athena to punish the victim. But let's be honest, the Greek gods are known for their shenanigans, and Athena more so for her hubris- her immense ego and pride. And it is not the first time that the goddess has judged unfairly, remember the story of Arachne the weaver? No? Well, that's a discussion for another blog.


And the end.




 



Citations:




 



Think. Ponder. Contemplate. Is this a Needless Narrative?

Stay tuned for more!


BSB










Comments

Drop me a message and share your thoughts

Message Sent!

© 2024 by Needless Narratives. All rights reserved.

bottom of page