Greek Cultural Memory and Mythological Retelling: Circe and Stone Blind

This paper explores how and why the archetypal figures of Circe and Medusa have been recast in modern retellings of Greek mythology. These figures are either unjustly represented as revolting or inhumane when they were victims of patriarchy and oppression. Circe and Stone Blind bring the readers’ attention to the misogynistic attitude existing in Greek narratives. Medusa and Circe are given a voice through these retellings, and the readers are exposed to stories that have long been highly and exclusively male-centered narratives. These figures are victims of patriarchy, oppression, and abuse. Greek mythology sings the stories of the victory of heroes and masks the cries of such violated figures. The very idea of ‘woman’ involves specific features pertaining to body and mannerisms, for anybody to qualify as one. These desirable attributes of a woman include specific linguistic and speaking skills, Mannerisms, Posture and locomotor styles, and social skills. These qualities are socially acquired, through training and discipline. Any skill she might possess needs to be displayed and deployed in the home or family for it to be of any significance.