Medusa is a figure from Greek mythology who is known for her ability to turn people to stone with her gaze. The poem "Medusa" by Carol Ann Duffy presents a unique and nuanced portrayal of this character, offering a new perspective on her story and challenging traditional interpretations of her as a monster.
The poem begins by introducing Medusa as a "snake-haired gorgon," a description that immediately invokes the traditional depiction of her as a frightening and terrifying creature. However, as the poem progresses, we see that Medusa's appearance is not the result of her own choice, but rather the punishment inflicted upon her by the gods. She was once a beautiful woman, but was transformed into a monster as a result of being raped by Poseidon in Athena's temple.
This transformation is described as a "curse," implying that Medusa did not deserve the punishment that was inflicted upon her. The poem suggests that Medusa's appearance is not a reflection of her character or actions, but rather the result of a cruel and unfair punishment.
The poem also explores the theme of isolation and loneliness, as Medusa is forced to live in exile on an island, cut off from the rest of the world. She is described as being "trapped in her own face," unable to escape the gaze that turns people to stone. This isolation is further emphasized by the fact that Medusa is unable to speak, as her "tongue was turned to stone" along with the rest of her body.
Despite the terrible circumstances that have befallen her, Medusa remains determined and resilient. She is described as "surviving" on the island, finding ways to sustain herself despite being isolated and alone. The poem suggests that Medusa's strength and determination are a testament to her character, and that she is much more than just a monster with the ability to turn people to stone.
Overall, "Medusa" is a poignant and thought-provoking portrayal of a well-known figure from Greek mythology. It challenges traditional interpretations of Medusa as a monster, instead presenting her as a victim of circumstance and a strong and resilient survivor. Through its exploration of themes such as isolation and the consequences of unfair punishment, the poem offers a nuanced and complex portrayal of this iconic character.
Poem Analysis: Medusa by Carol Ann Duffy Free Essay Example 934 words
I glanced at a singing bird, a handful of dusty gravel spattered down I looked at a ginger cat, a housebrick shattered a bowl of milk. She had to undergo electroconvulsive therapy for depression; her first documented suicide attempt was in the August of 1953. The most obvious being both speakers are women and how they subdue men. Posted on 2010-12-02 by a guest Post your Analysis Message This may only be an analysis of the writing. I glanced at a singing bird, Juxtaposition between the beauty of a handful of dusty gravel nature and the cold, hard, man spattered down. She was writing her poems with meticulous effort. Fear corrupts…perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
On the contrary, feminism is a broad topic that would need a lot of expansion. Due to Spam Posts are moderated before posted. But the mentioned scene is dead and nothing will ever move. Plath went through depression for most of her adulthood; after being unable to meet Dylan Thomas, who she claimed as her boyfriend, she slashed her legs to see if she could commit suicide. Moreover, Ward insinuates that women should be presented as empowering to one another and through Medea paralleling story Ward articulates her Atalant The Misogynistic View Of Ancient Greek Women 1043 Words 5 Pages However, despite their warrior nature, they are never able to defeat men in battle. Elaine had never stood up for Lysandra, not even once. In fact, individuals learn 40% faster on digital platforms compared to in-person learning.
About the author: Sylvia Plath is one of the few American women of the mid-twentieth century who was an exceptional poet, a novelist, and a writer who never forgot to give her short stories a periphrastic touch, which in turn attracted her readers to delve into the inner recesses into her mind and conscience. My mind winds to you Old barnacled umbilicus, Atlantic cable, Keeping itself, it seems, in a state of miraculous repair. On this point P. Having read the poem for several times, it is possible to predict that being stoned the author wanted to show how people perceive her poetry and staying like a shadow is the metaphoric presentation of the idea that her poetry cannot leave people indifferent and the shadow of the author and her ideas will always stay with the reader. Surprisingly when her dark self was immersing gradually in the slush of misgivings and doubts, her hopeful self rushed out to life with gushing enthusiasm, her play-acting is not to be looked out suspiciously. The color symbolism of red throughout this poem stresses her life blood that her mother can either take away or give to her! There was a bell hanging somewhere, waiting for someone to walk by and ring it.
Controversies surrounded her death in 1963; some believe she had shoved her head into the oven and turned on the gas; while looking at the site evidence, some find it hard to believe that she was willing to commit suicide. The poems are open to many interpretations but that is the way that I chose to interpret that poetry in particular. The poem Medusa by Louise Bogan is a piece of writing which describes the situation when a speaker came to the house of Medusa and stoned. In the same way power is a major theme in Ozymandias, what was once so magnificent - a symbol of the king's great power - is now "sunk. She was expecting too much from her sensitive daughter to show traditional courtesy. The terrible revisitations of the night that hold our peace of mind to ransom.
Finally she turns her attention to the man who broke her heart. Analysis of the poem. It could be a heart-felt plea for attention as well as, of course, a heavily ironic threat and reminder of her capabilities. In this poem, the mother is rebuked with the words; I did not call you. At the beginning of her relationship with Jason, Medea was strengthen by love to do the unimaginable.
This quote reveals the state of women within Greece, a leading theme of the story. Most common keywords Medusa Analysis Sylvia Plath critical analysis of poem, review school overview. As a result we live in a society where people are continuously longing for a happiness that can only be achieved through things that are fleeting and external, which creates feelings of discontentment… Havisham by Carol Ann Duffy In Havisham, Carol Ann Duffy creates an interesting character. It seems Duffy has a major distaste for market capitalism and its effect on women. Life in the United States was anything but heavenly for Asian Americans in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Green as eunuchs, your wishes Hiss at my sins.
She is not going to die without knowing that her ex-husband has paid for his disloyalty. This demonstartes the strength of her power to destroy, her power is so strong that anything that comes in her way either ends up "shattered" or "spattered". The color symbolism of red throughout this poem stresses her life blood that her mother can either take away or give to her! Yet she did not care much for her freedom and individuality. Look at me now. They usually had to resort to difficult physical labor to barely get by, jeopardizing their health in the process. Overall, the poem is unusual as its title mistakenly leads the reader into thinking that the poem will be typical.
Bogan has been called the most accomplished poet of the twentieth century Louise Bogan. It covers various myths in order to give women a voice. Why did he use? The curse of Athena excludes Medusa permanently from love and her only release is death. How do metaphors, symbols and allegories contribute in clarifying the meanings of the poem? Idealisation gives way to the reality of deception. If sadness reduces, anger increases. The poem points to the destructive potential of jealousy and rage, and to the way that men use women, only to discard them when they're no longer young and beautiful.
The Poem Medusa by Louise Bogan Literature Analysis
In a traditional sense, the moon was seen to represent the womanly grace associated with physic, intuitive and mysteriousness yet also in a way presenting a dark nature welded in a realm between the conscious and the unconscious. With China, Esch and Katrina all carrying some traits of Medea, it allows the reader to see all aspects of being female from being vulnerable, brave, nurturing and protective. This dramatic monologue, written in free verse shows the metamorphosis of Thetis, a Greek goddess, as she embarks on a journey to escape her mortal suitor, with whom she is destined to have a child. But her husband wanted her to leave the high school job of a teacher to become a full time homemaker. She turns all these animals into rocks of different proportions, and each one is bigger than the one before. .
