The Rest of Medusa's Story

TW: Discussions of mythological depictions of rape.

Written by Maya Greenberg, New Members Director Illustrated by Riley August, Makeup Director and Staff Graphic Artist

Depicting perhaps the most infamous woman in Greek mythology, the story of Medusa has served as a timeless cautionary tale on the evils of vanity. As the fable goes, the goddess

Athena takes vengeance on Medusa for her self-centered and impure ways and turns her into a snake-headed monster, cursed to transform anyone who gazes upon her into stone.1 The male star of the myth, Perseus, then slays the monster and uses her decapitated head as a weapon for future battles.2

This interpretation of the tale, although generally understood to be complete, largely ignores the victim-blaming and sexism that plague Medusa’s legacy.

Born as one of the three Gorgons to

Phorcys and Ceto, Medusa was the sole beautiful daughter in a family of monstrous immortals.3 As a priestess to Athena, Medusa made a vow to honor the goddess and remain a virgin for all of her life.4 The sea god, Poseidon, took notice of the priestess and, in an attempt to humiliate Athena, he raped

Medusa in the goddess’ temple. Directing her anger at the victim instead of the perpetrator, Athena cursed Medusa to a life of solitude.

¹ Hastings Christobel, “The Timeless Myth of Medusa, a Rape Victim Turned Into a Monster,” Vice, April 9, 2018. ² Ibid. ³ “Medusa: The Real Story of the Snake-Haired Gorgon,” Greek Mythology, July 9, 2021. ⁴ Oates Ryan, “The Horrible Tale of Medusa,” Odyssey Online, July 6, 2016. Still, rather than become the monster that she was made out to be, Medusa became something much more powerful. Whether it was Athena’s intention

or not, she gave Medusa a weapon: the power to turn any man who gave her unwanted stares into cold stone. Reading translations of the myth, it is clear that “Medusa was a mighty force endowed with the power to both kill and redeem.”5 Despite her strength,

⁵ Hastings Christobel, “The Timeless Myth of Medusa, a Rape Victim Turned Into a Monster,” Vice, April 9, 2018. however, she is made out by historical counts as a hideous seductress.

The common recantation of the myth of Medusa has implications for women far beyond the Gorgon herself. Medusa is one of countless women who was victimized twice: once when she was attacked, and again in the way her story was stolen from her. She is a symbol for those everywhere who overcome adversity by taking back their power—only to then be labeled as a woman scorned.

Another overlooked element of Medusa’s story is one many can relate to: turning our backs on our fellow women. Medusa is attacked by a powerful god, and instead of retaliating against him, Athena, a symbol of strength and female independence, decides to shame the other woman involved. Sound familiar? It’s a classic case of victim-blaming, with the bulk of the fault falling on the helpless. Medusa was not just a woman scorned, but a force with which to be reckoned. The Gorgon sister who was betrayed by the goddess is not a cautionary tale, but a symbol for self-empowerment. Medusa was unapologetic, brave and fierce. She lives on as a hero, not a villain, for those who still make the ground tremble beneath them despite all that has stood in their way. ■