Medusa

There were many complex charterers in ancient greeek mythology, often connected as the myths evolved. It is believed that medusa was orginated from libya in approximatly 1400 bc as the serpant godess of the libyan amazon women, somehow she was transported into greek mythology and there began the myth of medusa. Medusa was one of three gorgon sisters, the daughters of Ceto and phorcys. She was the only one of the gorgons who was not immortal. She was known for her , femininity and beauty famous for her long silky hair she was described as a very likeable charcter unitl her transformation. She often bragged to the goddess athena declaring herself more beautiful than her. Her beauty turned the head of neptune, athenas love interest, and when athena became aware that he took advantage of medusa in her temple, she was outraged but as he was above her in the heirarchy of gods she could not punish him, so she treated it as a betrayal on medusa's part and sought revenge by transforming her into a monster with snakes replacing her long silky hair, repltilian skin, wings on her back and tusks on her head, cursing her so frightening that no man could look at her, for if they did they turned to stone. Gorgons, in greek mythology, are female monsters known as horrible grotesque creatures these mythic monsters were of the perfect nature to challenge the greek heroes, they were often portraied as female beings furiously spirited with serpents on their heads and piercing eyes that could turn humans into stone, this pleased athena as no man would ever find madusa attractive again. Many different sources have different translations of what medusas physical appearance symbolised, it was generally believed she was the symbol of femininity, the mystery, the wisdom, the matrialism in society, the cyclic nature of life death and rebirth (shedding of skin), her connection to the earth, mistress of the beast. Her real self, her soul, her beauty hidden behind an ugly mask. In greek culture the snakes symbolise deception, creativity, intelligence but are not to be trusted in all things. The myth of medusa reveals many moral issues the beautiful female who is adored and lusted after by men and envied by women thus creating power. The envy and jealousy displayed by athena and her need for revenge. The lustful ravishing by Neptune disolving her womenly powers and her transformation to one that that could no longer be adored ultimatly disempowering her. As the myth goes on it reveals that she became more symbolically powerful as a monster than a beautiful maiden, instead of vanquishing her they created something more powerful in its own right and that is how she has been rememebered through archealogical sources throughout history, hence athena colloborating with two others to have her beheaded in an ultimate attempt to demolish her powers. this reflects the belief that the greek gods at the time were all powerful. Even though mythical the story of medusa displays many natural human traits, bringing its relevence to the modern world. As quoted by Robert Graves “although it may have been less intense, the battle of the sexes was not resloved. The feminine continued to remain a source of fear for men, and the association of women with medusa, evoked an aspect of sex which is both fascinating and dangerous” even though unpure and frightening she is still depicted that of a divine feminine, she served to both protect and terrify. The image of medusa's head has been used symbolically through the ages as one to be feared, a protector, the gorgon head was represented to fight evil and word off evil spirits. her image was used for propaganda. In archaeological times it appeared on the shields and breastplates of soldiers believing they were sending the message “don't mess with us”her image was placed above doorways and archways to prevent evil spirits from entering (as seen in picture 1:1)this made created a sense of safety ans security in those that believed. medusa translates into modern culture through the arts; literary sources, poetry, art and artifacts according to late classical poets medusa was a beautiful maiden transformed by athena as punishment for her betrayal, however the early greek writers and artists portray her as a monster born into a monsterous family, there are many different versions of paintings and sculptures and has been modernised in late classical art with the face of a beautiful women in modern literature it has been suggested that the message is “if you brag about your beauty, you will reflect like that of medusa”. As demonstrated in the photos, her looks have been interpreted in various ways throughout history from graphic snake like hair to wirey, unruly, unkept dreadlocks , her facial features, some are characatures of monsters to realistic human like features and the inconsistancies of the appearnce of the horns and wings depending on each individual artists interpretation of her. Medusa symbolises womenhood throughout the ages the power of man versus women. the suggestion that women are to be admired but powerless in their society and that their beauty is all there is to be seen from the outside and only an ugly mask can hide the sole the myth has been humanised by reflecting on true human traits that are consistant with modern society I.e envy, jealousy, revenge, greed, lust and the fight for power. Transforming medusa from her original state to her monstrous image she is well known for today only took away her beauty but ironically making her more powerful as an icon of protection and fear. She is significant as she proves that women are protectors and can be feared for their inward strengths. One sex is not all powerful and by changing one facade does not change ones inner powers, significantly she has been portraid in various art forms and her physical appearance subject to many different interpretations however always female thus concluding that females may vary in appearance but have the same significance in society as today.