Women & Power by classicist Mary Beard shows how history has treated powerful women. She draws her examples from the classical world to modern day politics, reflecting on the cultural context of misogyny, the public voice of women and cultural assumptions about women’s relationship with power.
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As one might expect, modern politicians and recent election campaigns are discussed, but the exploration of Medusa’s story was particularly striking to me. Most people are familiar with the image of snake-haired Medusa. I went through an obsession with mythology when I was younger, and she was always portrayed as a terrifying monster. However I didn’t realise until recently that this was her punishment for being a rape victim. Poor, tragic Medusa. 😔 Mary Beard highlights how the Medusa theme/symbolism has been used in American election campaigns, and she concludes that this normalises gendered violence and exclusion of women from power.
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While many of the examples in the book are depressing, Beard’s tone is patient and optimistic about change. I also read somewhere that she would love for more young men to read this, but I’d recommend it to everyone. Such a little book, and yet so much to contemplate that I will have to revisit it.👌
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