Old Myths through New Eyes
A Feminist Re-Appropriation of Ovid's Metamorphoses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20242297Keywords:
Ovid, Metamorphoses, feminism, mythsAbstract
Even though the common reader may not be familiar with Ovid’s Metamorphoses, over centuries of circulation, this epic poem has woven itself into the very fabric of our present-day culture. In my thesis, I will analyze three of its most popular myths, searching for new feminist meanings in these ancient, male-dominated texts. In my introduction, “The Metamorphosis of the Metamorphoses: A Brief History,” I examine the epic’s history of translation and explore the ethos of retelling and reinterpreting stories about rape and female subordination. In my first chapter, “From Beheld to Beheaded: Medusa and the Male Gaze,” I show how Medusa’s gaze symbolizes the belief that to truly see and appreciate the woman would result in a man’s loss of identity. In Chapter II, “Modern Arachne and Ancient Webs of Female Misogyny,” I explain how Arachne’s myth exposes the patriarchy’s reliance on rivalry between women to maintain male dominance. Lastly, in “Pygmalion’s Womb Envy: The Male Suppression and Appropriation of the Female Procreative Life Force,” I prove that Pygmalion sculpts his perfect woman not only to use her as an object of sexual gratification but also as one of reproduction. Drawing inspiration from feminist theorists such as Laura Mulvey, Simone de Beauvoir, Susan Bordo, and Karen Horney—and depending exclusively on Stephanie McCarter’s translations—I analyze how the patriarchy uses stories to inculcate and perpetuate its ideology.
For the full text, please visit https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/bc386k55n.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors whose work is accepted and who publish with The University of Colorado Honors Journal agree to the following terms:
1. The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all objects that may result in subsequent electronic or print publication or distribution.
2. Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
3. The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a non-exclusive license, which grants the Journal the right to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions: a. Right of publication in the print format of the journal; b. Right of publication in the online and/or digital format of the journal; c. Right to use in promotional or other journal-related activities, as defined by the journal.
4. Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
5. The Author represents and warrants that: a. the Work is the Author’s original work; b. the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party; c. the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher; d. the Work has not previously been published; e. the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and f. the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
6. The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.
11-August-2014
