How is jealousy presented in Medusa?

Jealousy is like poison and is seen in the poem. The poison infiltrates the snakes which “ grew in mind” and is physically spat out. This shows the characters intensity of feelings. In the first line it shows that Medusa lacks in confidence and insecure.

How is Medusa presented in the poem Medusa?

The poem reimagines Medusa as a modern wife who suspects her husband of being unfaithful, and charts her transformation from beautiful young bride into a terrifying, murderous monster. This new self, both pitiable and frightening, reveals the destructive potential of anger, bitterness, and suspicion.

What is Medusa poem about?

Themes. 'Medusa' by Carol Ann Duffy contains several themes. There are themes such as jealousy, feminine dignity, and doubtfulness. The character of Medusa is a symbolic representation of jealousy in ancient Greek mythology.

How does Duffy present ideas about jealousy in Medusa?

In Medusa, Carol ann Duffy presents the character as a very jealous and vengeful woman. She wants revenge. The narrator has a hesitation that her lover is being unfaithful and rude which has she has been cursed and has also made her into a harsh and angry Gorgon.

What is the theme of the myth Medusa?

The story of Perseus and Medusa is a story of perseverance, bravery, and dignity. Perseus personifies the length one would go to in order to save the ones you love. Perseus shows the authenticity of his character when he rescues the helpless Andromeda from the Cetus and the attachment to the rock.

Medusa - Carol Ann Duffy Analysis

What does the Medusa represent?

The most common interpretation of Medusa suggests she is an apotropaic symbol used to protect from and ward off the negative, much like the modern evil eye. She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil.

Why is Medusa a feminist icon?

She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. Now, the same generation has turned her into a feminist icon with a story too many can relate to; instead of being a symbol of fear, Medusa has become the symbol of justice for sexual assault victims.

What does Medusa symbolize feminism?

The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism — including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. From a feminist perspective, Medusa's story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of one's power.

Was Athena jealous of Medusa?

Once Athena found out about this affair, her jealousy raged and she became furious! She then decided to put a nasty curse on Medusa for breaking her promise of celibacy. This curse turned Medusa's beautiful locks into venomous snakes and made it so that whenever someone looked at Medusa, they would turn to stone.

Was Medusa raped by Perseus?

Medusa. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy.

Who was the ugliest god?

Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. He is the only god to be physically ugly.

How did Medusa become evil?

It is in the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses that her story is most deeply elaborated. She was lovely, according to the poem—until she was raped in Athena's temple by Poseidon. Athena then punished her for this violation, by turning her into the monstrous, stony-glanced creature that we know.

How did Medusa get pregnant?

Since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus was able to slay her while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena. During that time, Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon.

What are Medusa's character traits?

Medusa represents alot of things. But she would mostly represent vainness women's rage, or jealously. Vainness would mean meaningless, worthless, no value, or unsatisfying. Since Medusa was a woman she would mean women rage meaning violent uncontrolled anger because she would turn men to stone.

Who was Medusa in love with?

Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair.

Why is Athena a virgin?

Althought Athena is a virgin goddess, she mothered the god Erichthonios by Hephaestus. According to myth, she went to Hephaestus wanting some weapons forged. When Hephaestus tried to rape her, she protected her virginity and he ejaculated on her leg.

What fears does Medusa represent?

The cursed Medusa represents at least two horrifying things – venomous snakes and petrification.

Is Medusa still alive?

Medusa was eventually killed by Perseus, one of Zeus' heroic sons. With the help of several gods, Perseus tracked Medusa down to her remote lair and beheaded her.

Was Medusa a villain or victim?

Throughout history, Medusa got the bad reputation as a scornful, evil woman who turns people into stone with a mere glance. However, much like most women of ancient mythology, she was a victim of patriarchal societal norms.

Is Medusa a hero or villain?

Type of Villain

Medusa is a monster and a minor antagonist from Greek mythology that was one of the three sisters including Euryale and Stheno.

Why is Medusa portrayed as a monster?

In this popular version the Medusa is a monster with hair of a thousand snakes. She is under a curse which causes everything she looks at to turn to stone. Cixous explains that this monstrous image of the Medusa exists only because it has been directly determined by the male gaze.

Who is the god of poop?

Sterculius, the Roman God of Feces.

Who is the god of stupidity?

In Greek mythology, Koalemos (Ancient Greek: Κοάλεμος) was the god of stupidity, mentioned once by Aristophanes, and being found also in Parallel Lives by Plutarch. Coalemus is the Latin spelling of the name.

Who was the prettiest god?

Aphrodite was the most beautiful of all the Goddesses and there are many tales of how she could encourage both Gods and humans to fall in love with her.

Why did Athena punish Medusa and not Poseidon?

Poseidon was a god, and Athena was a goddess. She was not powerful enough to punish Poseidon. He is a elder god, which makes him second only to Zeus.