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THE DISCONCERTING STRANGENESS OF THE FEMININE
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. In fact the
function of the Gorgon's mask was to keep men at a safe distance from the sacred ceremonies and mysteries reserved
for women, i.e. those which celebrated the Triple Goddess, the Moon. The mask was also worn by young maidens to
ward off male lust. The episode of Perseus' victory over Medusa represents the end of female ascendancy and the
taking over of the temples by men, who had become the masters of the divine which Medusa's head had concealed
from them.
Although it may have become less intense, the battle of the sexes was not resolved. The feminine continued
to remain a source of fear for men, and the association of women with Medusa, evoked an aspect of the sex which
was both fascinating and dangerous. This terrible woman, the paragon of all women, whom every man
simultaneously fears and seeks and for whom Medusa is the mask, is in fact the mother, i.e. the great Goddess
Mother whose rites were concealed by the Gorgon's face. From this point onwards, the myth of Perseus takes on a
new psychological meaning. It tells of the exploit of the hero who, because he has conquered ‘castrating' woman and
armed himself with the talisman of Medusa's head (seen here in its comforting, phallic role), is able to conquer
Andromeda, the terrifying virgin, and kill the sea monster which represents the evil aspect of woman.
Cast down, the feminine remains unrecognized within its innermost recess and it is this 'abject' void which
maintains the theatre of the world and the logic of the talisman. Medusa keeps her secret behind the ambiguous
mask. Although she is 'representable', she is never 'presentable' and even Perseus only sees her reflected in his shield.
She is the hidden presence, absent from the world, which enables the scene to be played out.
Write a brief description of the KEY CHARACTERS’ roles in the myth of “PERSEUS AND MEDUSA:”
Zeus Danae
The Graeae Sisters Hermes
Stygian Nymphs Oracle at Delphi
Polydectes Acrisius
Athena Medusa
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