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Help[Opinions] Adore, a powerful name and story. (m)
in reply to a message by erb816
I adore the name Medusa, and personally I find Medusa to be something of a feminist figure. She never sought out to kill or destroy. Instead, she lived in a cave, only petrifying men when they attacked her. She was far less violent than her sisters, and was originally a beautiful and devout young woman. She was only turned into a monster, out of Athena's spite, because she was raped by Poseidon in the temple. She has constantly been misunderstood, and the idea of an alternate Medusa being able to enact revenge is an empowering one. There have been so many beautiful takes on her in recent years, and I think it's hightime we reclaim the name, too. Not to mention the meaning: "protector, ruler".
A lot of people seem to not really like the "oo" sound. To that I bring up the original Greek spelling and pronunciation: Medousa, pronounced MEH-DO-SA. I think it's just as beautiful, if not even more. The spelling could be changed to Medosa if you're worried about mispronunciation.
A lot of people seem to not really like the "oo" sound. To that I bring up the original Greek spelling and pronunciation: Medousa, pronounced MEH-DO-SA. I think it's just as beautiful, if not even more. The spelling could be changed to Medosa if you're worried about mispronunciation.
This message was edited 7/22/2020, 7:22 PM
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Agree with all of this. I took a women's history class in college and the professor actually brought up Medusa as a feminist figure, for the reasons you explained. I was already of that mind because my mom studied Greek history extensively and talked about it a lot and we had bookshelves full of material on it growing up (though her specialty was ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia). It's why she named my sister Cassandra!
I honestly thought this was common knowledge but the comments here are making me doubt that now :( Apparently most people just know her as a monster.
I honestly thought this was common knowledge but the comments here are making me doubt that now :( Apparently most people just know her as a monster.
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There are multiple versions of the myth
In the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses, Medusa was recreated as a tragic figure. He adds the story of rape and Athena cursing her. However, Ovid's is a later version. Earlier versions do not paint her as a victim, and she seems more evil. These stories were told over and over again, and each teller put their own twist on things.
In the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses, Medusa was recreated as a tragic figure. He adds the story of rape and Athena cursing her. However, Ovid's is a later version. Earlier versions do not paint her as a victim, and she seems more evil. These stories were told over and over again, and each teller put their own twist on things.
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I know, I mentioned that in my own comment.
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I wonder if it's just because a lot of people are afraid of snakes?
I like snakes, but if I was scared of them I probably wouldn't like to think about the name Medusa lol
I like snakes, but if I was scared of them I probably wouldn't like to think about the name Medusa lol
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A lovely defense :)
I appreciate your generous interpretation of the mythological figure's ethos!
I appreciate your generous interpretation of the mythological figure's ethos!
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