How Does Duffy Present The Stereotypes Of Women In Medusa

Historically, women have been omitted. By the free verse poem, Duffy gives the mythological character Medusa a voice, and thereby another chance to speak up. She also challenges the stereotypes of women, this character faced. In the poem, Duffy explores the position of women, and Medusa’s point of view of the story. The word choice in the poem brings the voice of the character out. Because the poem is a dramatic monologue, personal pronouns and the repetition of the words “I” and “my” are used. This shows that the character is expressing her self, and receiving a chance to talk to the person who has betrayed her. By the use of the words jealousy, love, young, Gorgon, fragrant and beautiful the poet shows that Medusa was not a cruel creature, but a young woman in love, who got punished because she fell in love, and turned into a Gorgon. The use of past tense hints that the character looks to her past with remorse. The word choice in the poem portrays a woman who was forced to turn into a monstrous creature, but also has been betrayed and has a vulnerable side. All these elements combine and restore her voice.
By the sentences “Be terrified” and “Look at me now”, the poet gives the character a chance to challenge and threaten her betraying lover, and thereby challenges the obedient and suppressed position of woman in relationships. The strength of the character is also shown by the alliteration of the fricative consonant ‘s’, which suggests hissing, which refers to the snakes on Medusa’s head. The idea and the sound of hissing create an atmosphere of danger and tension. All these elements reflect a compelling side of the character’s personality, and objects to the centuries-old stereotypes of woman. These ideas are also supported by the strong imagery used in the