Male Heroism and Female Power in Mythology

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how, in mythological tales, it appears that powerful men are hailed as heroes, while powerful women are feared for their propensity towards destruction. The reason for this could be seated both in culture and fear of barbarism as opposed to the paradigm of "civilization". This paper compares "Gilgamesh", "Joan of Arc", and "Medea" to understand this concept.

From the Paper:

"The only reputable and kind woman in Gilgamesh's life is his mother, representing the married, child-bearing woman who is the "good" woman of this social paradigm. All other women are either harlots or cruel and temperamental goddesses. As soon as a woman wields power then, ill repute or cruelty forms part of her actions. An example of the social paradigm of the time is the right of the king to the bed of a newly married woman before she spends her first night with her husband. Women are expected to subordinate themselves to this."

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