Medusa reframed and portrayed as a victim of sexual violence rather than as a villain

Sophie Doherty lecturer in Law writes why TikTok users have embraced the story of Medusa.

“The image of Medusa is ingrained worldwide in arts and popular culture. You can see her in marble statues dating to the first century to Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio's epic painting Testa di Medusa (Head of Medusa) (c 1598), and from Versace's brand logo to Beverley Cross's fantasy film Clash of the Titans (1981)."

"Social media users are now reframing the story of Medusa and are no longer portraying her as a villain."

"Instead, victim-survivors of sexual violence on TikTok are embracing the story of Medusa, highlighting that she too was a victim of sexual violence and was punished for her own rape, an experience that very much resonates in the 21st century. Far from solely being understood as a hideous monster, Medusa can be understood as an icon for victim-survivors of sexual violence, combatting stigma and victim-blaming."

Read the full article here...

Why TikTok users have embraced the story of Medusa (rte.ie)