Medusa: How the Literary Muse Became an Emblem for Feminism

Abstract

From Ancient Greece to Hollywood, Medusa has been a global narrative. This article explores poetry and storytelling through the historical and literary legacy of Medusa; it argues for her importance in feminist history and her continued relevance in our post-MeToo world. While a seemingly straightforward tale, Medusa’s story explores female dynamics, feminist power against patriarchal forces, and the ultimate defense against the male gaze. This paper showcases a historical account of the handling of the Medusa myth which proves that the rewriting and reclaiming of the myth by women parallels, if not contributes to the success of female empowerment. Accompanying this paper is a poetry collection that explores varying perspectives within rape culture, including the sexualization of Billie Eilish.