Medusa

Theme: Jealousy and Anger, Transformation

Annotations:

First Stanza: The speaker describes her current state of mind, which is full of suspicion and jealousy. Her thoughts are said to have turned her hair to snakes which hissed and spat in her scalp.

Second Stanza: The speaker describes the transformation her body undergoes. Her sweet, bridal breath sours, her fangs yellow. Her tears sting her face, which she calls, “bullet tears”. Then she asks the reader and/or her lover if they are terrified of her changed appearance.

Third Stanza: She then proceeds to talk to her lover, telling him to fear her. To the speaker, he was perfect, like a Greek god. Since she knew that he would leave her, and was now cheating on her, it would be better for her if he were to turn into stone.

Fourth Stanza: The speaker starts to use her power, which is turning living beings to stone if they ever happen to look into her eyes. At first, she is unsure. She glances at a bee, which turns to stone and falls to the ground like a pebble. Then she sees a singing bird, which also turns to stone and falls as dusty gravel. The cat and pig she sees also meet the same fate as the bee and bird. Slowly, but surely, the speaker starts learning of her powers and embracing them, thus gaining confidence.

Fifth Stanza: She looks into a mirror, full of bitterness. She hates what she sees. In the mirror, she sees a Gorgon, which according to her, is a dragon.

Sixth Stanza: Again, she resumes conversation with her lover. He comes with a sword and shield, which are compared to his tongue and heart. This line might imply how her lover has come to kill her now that she has turned into a terrifying “monster”. She asks him, in a rather taunting manner, about her past beauty, and mulls on his future lovers now that he is no longer with her.

At the final line, she tells the reader and/or her lover to look at her now.

Symbolism: 

1. Snakes - symbolise the speaker's changing thoughts from love to jealousy.

Global Issues:

Themes Transformation and Change “Love gone bad” Loneliness Beauty as a Curse

Global issues Medusa transformed from her previous self to a “monster” full of jealousy.  Her love changed to hatred out of suspicion. She finds herself alone and becomes bitter