Medusa, retold.

Medusa:

Gorgon, ‘monster’, deadly, cursed.

Woman. Sister. Loved.

‘Stone Blind’ by Natalie Haynes reinterprets and retells the classic Greek myth of Medusa’s story from a fresh perspective. I first heard about the book when Haynes discusses it, along with the Greek myths and the representation of monsters and women, with Katy Hessel on The Great Women Artists podcast. I was intrigued enough to read the book, and it’s a blinder! And I was inspired to create an image of Medusa.  

In ‘Stone Blind’, Medusa is cursed by Athena, for being raped by Poseidon in Athena’s own temple. The curse takes the form of snakes in place of hair, and the ‘power’ of anything she looks at turning to stone. After being cursed, Medusa retreats to a cave so that she won’t harm her sisters. It is in this cave that ‘hero’ Perseus hunts her down to obtain her head as a trophy. 

In my drawing, I gave Medusa a last opportunity to enjoy the sun on her face and her snakes, before Perseus slays her in her sleep. Her eyes are shut, so that she doesn’t inadvertently kill us for gazing at her.

I recommend both Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes, and podcast The Great Women Artists with Katy Hessel.

Medusa: Retold.