Tales of gods and goddesses, supernatural phenomena, and captivating narratives filled with wisdom, Greek mythology stands as a timeless collection of folklore tales. Beyond mere entertainment, these divine stories serve a more profound purpose— they act as a reflective mirror for the cultural fabric of society, emerging from the depths of its collective subconscious (Decreus, 2000; Gözen and Adigüzel, 2017). In essence, Greek myths not only captivate but also shape our very sense of self—especially our understanding of gender. What defines masculinity and femininity? The tales will tell. A man's world
Oh how I’d love to be a man… living in Ancient Greek. Mythological stories written by men, for men: from the heroic exploits of figures such as Hercules and Achilles to the complex struggles of characters like Oedipus and Odysseus, the Greek myths provide a vivid portrayal of masculine identity in all its glory (Blazina, 1997; Decreus, 2000; Doty, n.d.). The archetype of the hegemonic man- one who is culturally dominant over women and other forms of masculinity -, epitomised by gods like Zeus and Poseidon, embodies ideals of strength, courage, and dominance (Dudink, 2001; London, 2019). Love thyself seems to be the rule of thumb: they have an inability to form and sustain relations, strive for a love of self and attain a sense of self through work and accomplishments.
Centuries of retelling these stories have profoundly shaped the patriarchal structure, ensuring the dominant position of the Western, cisgender, heterosexual male over other expressions of “masculinity” (Blazina, 1997; Dudink, 2001). Even if these traditional patriarchal masculine gender norms are challenged, for example by Achilles’ traits of emotional depth and vulnerability which are traditionally associated with femininity, it's still within the realms of male dominance. Stories are never just stories, the Greek mythology, designed and implemented by men, provides us with insight into the construction of identity with a clear distinction differing on what’s between your legs: men develop their sense of self through independence and autonomy, and women? They gain theirs through their relations with others.
A mother, a daughter & a wife
Female Greek mythological characters have no agency and are mothers, daughters and wives, mainly to be categorised in either one of two: women are both cursed, characterised as seductive, ruthless, and destructive, or adored and revered as an irresistible source of life (Gabriel, 2016; Gözen and Adigüzel, 2017; Segura, 2013). The former refers to figures like Medea and Clytemnestra, portrayed as rebellious and 'unconstrained' women, yet depicted as ultimately self-destructive and dehumanised characters. They are branded as deviants through their savage crimes of murdering her own children (Medea) or her husband (Clytemnestra) for revenge, in order to confine them back to their prescribed roles within patriarchal society. Despite effectively challenging and deconstructing gender norms, they are ultimately left with nothing—childless, dead, or cast out of the “human world”. This process of othering ensures and reinforces the inferior position of women.
The latter - women as an irresistible source of life - embodies the most “dominant” form of femininity, adhering to subordination and aimed at satisfying the desires and needs of men-referred to as emphasised femininity, wherein women conform to the prescribed gender roles (Dudink, 2001; Gabriel, 2016; Schippers, 2007). Penelope, often idealised as the epitome of femininity for her unwavering loyalty while waiting two decades for her husband Odysseus during his battles, actually lacks agency, similar to other female characters in Greek mythology. Her portrayal reflects a male perspective, promoting a compliant female archetype reinforcing male dominance. Penelope ultimately reinforces patriarchal ideals by exemplifying the archetype of the "good wife". Both forms of female characters, the rebellious and the good wife, are ultimately tools of oppression that aim to further exclude the women from and subordinate them within the patriarchal society.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Mythological stories serve as a reflection of society, subtly embedding dominant cultural and historical values, attitudes, and beliefs into the collective consciousness, thereby naturalising them (Blazina, 1997; Decreus, 2000; Segura, 2013). Through production (of the stories), representation (of the genders) and consumption (by the public), it creates and reinforces a culture: the bases of a society and its social relations. The tales reflect the patriarchal society through their portrayal of male and female characters, all serving to reinforce the dominance of hegemonic men. Even when the patriarchal structures are challenged, as seen with Achilles, Medea & Clytemnestra, it is still within the realms of male dominance. Throughout these narratives, a clear rule emerges - one that continues to echo in modern society: women are characterised by traits and appearances, while men are defined by their actions. The former is translated into modern-day society through beauty standards and feminine gender traits like nurturing and passivity, while the latter is exemplified by men's behaviours such as taking up a lot of physical space, driving luxury cars, and consuming meat (Schippers, 2007). This foundational principle has sculpted our understanding of gender, perpetuating stereotypes and norms.
These structures that dictate our society, deep-rooted in cultural artefacts such as Greek mythology, are however not set in stone, but fluid. Stories and culture are subject to reinterpretation and adaptation over time to align with evolving societal norms and values. Myths are revisited and revamped, mirroring the shifting paradigms surrounding gender role behaviour, capturing the changing perceptions of what is deemed appropriate within society. Storytelling is a powerful tool, and by harnessing its power, one might rewrite the narrative to challenge and subvert the patriarchal norms. As society evolves, shouldn’t our myths reflect this? A tale as old as time, but reimagined to align with the ethos of today.
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