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Research Paper On Medusa

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Research Paper On Medusa
Medusa Classics Internal 1.5
Task A
During the classical period, Medusa was a well known mythological character who had easily distinguished physical appearances and personal qualities. She was no doubt a very powerful creature who resembled the cultural values on society during that time and showed how her story reflected on cultural identity. As a special woman who differed in the stereotypical gender role, she showed her values form the myth and there were many ways in which she was depicted during the classical period. With her various transformations throughout her myth the different depictions change throughout as well. As a very well known mythological character, historians
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This, is something that women during that time period would not have to experience. Therefore Medusa’s role as a woman would have been much more different to a normal woman. Robert Graves( Greek myths, 1958) believes “that the myth of Perseus preserves the memory of the conflicts which occurred between men and women in the transition from a matriarchal to a patriarchal society”. Men, during that time were the only ones who got rights: political, voting, divorcement, etc. Women could not do any of that and still, they could not have any rights to complain. As quoted by Graves, the myth showed the conflict between men and women. And because Medusa as a mythological character played a role much different to a usual woman. Many people say Medusa was created by the Greeks as “the voice of feminine rage”. This is relative to the culture of Greek civilization as women had to rights during that time and no freedom. Medusa, as a cursed monster, was able to express her rage by turning living beings into stone. She had the choice of neglecting her life before and changing her complete individuality. But looking at before Medusa transformed into a monster, she was a beautiful maiden. From possible theories, it was said that Medusa was a vulnerable devotee to Athena and she worshipped her on a regular basis. Being cursed by Athena, she had absolutely no rights. She was helpless and could not do anything against

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