What is the message of the Medusa poem?
What is the message of the Medusa poem?
Medusa by Carol Ann Duffy The poem Medusa explores the theme of jealousy and anger; the poet illustrates this using the extended metaphor of a Greek mythological creature Medusa, whose story describes her as a beautiful maiden that is turned into a hideous creature after being raped by Poseidon.
How is Medusa presented in the poem?
The physical attributes of Medusa depict how jealousy turns a person into a formidable and fierce creature. She can’t even have anyone around her as her eyes can turn them into stones. Despite the absence of human companionship, Medusa maintains her dignity. She knows that there are some things she can’t change.
What imagery is created in the poem Medusa?
jealousy
Ultimately, the entire poem is an extended metaphor for a woman consumed by jealousy as she parts from her lover. Her jealousy is portrayed through the violent animalistic images of creatures the speaker is compared to; growing in size as her power builds.
How is jealousy presented in Medusa?
Jealousy is like poison and is seen in the poem. The poison infiltrates the snakes which “ grew in mind” and is physically spat out. This shows the characters intensity of feelings. In the first line it shows that Medusa lacks in confidence and insecure.
How is jealousy presented in the poem Medusa?
In Medusa, Carol ann Duffy presents the character as a very jealous and vengeful woman. She wants revenge. The narrator has a hesitation that her lover is being unfaithful and rude which has she has been cursed and has also made her into a harsh and angry Gorgon.
What does Medusa symbolize?
According to The Met Museum, Medusa is portrayed in most Greek art as an “apotropaic symbol used to protect and ward off the negative,” representing a “dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil.” In modern tales of Gorgon though, she is a symbol of female rage.
What does Medusa symbolize feminism?
The story of Medusa continues to provoke renewed perspectives on its symbolism — including through the lens of feminism and psychoanalysis. From a feminist perspective, Medusa’s story seems a cautionary tale of the symbolic decapitation of women and a loss of one’s power.
Why did Medusa get cursed?
Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair. When Athena discovered the affair, she was enraged and immediately cursed Medusa by taking away her beauty.
How does Medusa relate to today?
In modern culture, Medusa is seen as a powerful symbol of female intelligence and wisdom, related to the goddess Metis, who was a wife of Zeus. The snake-like head is a symbol of her cunning, a perversion of the matrifocal ancient goddess who the Greeks must destroy.
What does the story of Medusa teach us?
The story of Perseus and Medusa is a story of perseverance, bravery, and dignity. Perseus personifies the length one would go to in order to save the ones you love. Perseus shows the authenticity of his character when he rescues the helpless Andromeda from the Cetus and the attachment to the rock.