Gorgon Essay

Introduction
The production of Gorgon is directed by Elena Carapetis. The production being named after the ancient Greek mythology of Gorgons. Terrifying; powerful, fascinating and dangerous who were females with snakes in their hair, with a gaze that could turn you into stone.
Two best mates in Lee and Maz, their last year of school. It’s a fateful summer they’re going off, driving down the highway. Maz letting Lee drive his car, picking up speed because Maz teases him for going to slow, they swap back drivers but Maz gets a text on his phone. Life shatters and now only on is left to pick up pieces.
Grief
Lee unable to process the loss of his best friend locking himself inside his apartment. Retreating himself in books about death and how
to make sense of being a survivor. Lee doesn’t look after himself or apartment leaving empty pizza boxes, rubbish and cans laying around, only speaking to pizza boy. The 5 stage grief cycle was very evident throughout the production, starting with denial and isolation Lee was in denial of losing his best friend using this is a defence mechanism to buffer the immediate shock. Secondly anger the reality and pain re-emerge. Bargaining feeling helpless and wonder what if? Depression, prolonging feelings of sadness that impacts the ability to perform daily activities. Finally acceptance, the death may be sudden and unexpected or we may never see beyond our anger or denial. It is not necessarily a mark of bravery to resist the inevitable and to deny ourselves the opportunity to make our peace.
Throughout the production this was something very relatable to my own experience as over the past 5years I have lost 4 loved one. Having a connection with Lee made this more emotional, sad making me feels sick bringing back feelings I had at the time of each lose. I have been through the grief cycle multiple times. This always was a very tough time for me, making me feel very insecure and vulnerable.
Sibling connection/rivalry
Lola lost her twin, a brother that she thinks hated her and she feels rejected by her family, “The way mum and dad go on, ‘oh he was so wonderful, he was so special,’ I will never make up for the fact that you died…I’ll never be enough and you’re an angel.” Whilst her brother Maz was praised in the family, Lola often got into trouble and she still lives in his shadow even though he’s gone.
She struggled through puberty, fighting with her brother. Relating to rivalry between Lola and Maz, is very similar in my own life my brother and I always try to be better than each other. My parents always telling my brother how proud they are of him having a full time since the end of year 11 and playing Agrade and getting paid for doing so, it’s like a second job just on that he loves more.
Whereas I’m 17years completing year 12, working at McDonalds part time, applying in to the navy for a gap year and playing Agrade netball. In which my family never praises me, it’s a feeling of not being good enough or living up to the standard of my brother, the shadow feeling being left behind. When playing the casual one on one fun backyard yard games at home, it always turns into a competition for my brother and I, we live for the thrill of competing and the end satisfaction on being the winner. We both live for winning so defeat is defiantly the hardest thing
Gender
emotion
Women are allowed to show varying emotions of grief; vulnerability, joy, happiness and sadness. Men on the other hand, are taught to lock away their emotions, with acceptable emotions being; anger, pride and contempt, but not vulnerability.
As Lee and Maz talk they demonise females, talking about them as cougars, how they become monsters during puberty and they tease each other for ‘being a girl.’ Lola displays anger, guilt and disappointment.
Maz calls Lee’s Mum, delusional. This hits close to home and he describes his anger; “I feel pissed off. Like my whole body has become a fist. I’m made of fists, all of me, ready to smash something.”
She’s angry that two people in her life left, she feels guilty because she was fighting with Maz before he died, and she’s angry at how she can’t live up to Maz in her parent’s mind. She is determined to confront Lee and break him out of his cold shell.
In this way, she represents the Gorgon, releasing him from this isolation and allowing him to grieve openly. When she pretends to be Maz she tells Lee, “I love you too. You’re my best friend, Lee. Loyal beyond the end.