16 Wellek Warren: 95. Literature also has a relation with psychology, and works of
literature may present the study of psychological types and laws Wellek Warren: 81.
This thesis discusses about Medusa in Greek mythology, Eros or Amor in Greek mythology and jealousy in psychological concept. The three extrinsic elements are
chosen because this study finds that Carol Ann Duffy’s “Medusa” shows the power
of jealousy by using the figure of “Medusa”
.
3.2.1 The Medusa in Greek Mythology
Medusa, known as one of the Gorgons, was the only mortal daughter of Phorcys and Ceto, the children of Gaea Earth and Oceanus Ocean. Medusa
devoted her life as a priestess in Temple of Athena. Her magnificent beauty made her well known to all men and women in Athens, and her gaze was known as the
loveliest from all the girls in Athens. The story of her magnificent beauty came to Poseidon’s ear, God of the Sea,
who became enamored of her. Poseidon raped Medusa in temple of Athena and it provoked the wrath of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. Athena cursed Medusa by
turning every strand of her beautiful locks into serpents. Her gentle, love-inspiring gaze now became a furious red orb excited fear and disgust which turned every life
being into stone once they stared at it. Athena turned Medusas beautiful face so terrible that the cursed Medusa fled
from home and never return. She wandered from place to place, abhorred, dreaded and shunned by every life being in the world. In most version of the story, it has been
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said that one day the hero named Perseus came and beheaded her. With the help of the Gods, Perseus slain her head and took it as the request of the king Polydectes.
Even the beheaded head of Medusa still has its curse remains, that its gaze still can turned everything into stone, and its dripping blood came into existence as serpents.
3.2.2 Eros or Amor in Greek Mythology
This study uses the appearance and personality of Eros to describe the characteristic of love to show the kind of jealousy in
Carol Ann Duffy’s “Medusa” in the discussion. There are two contradictionary
stories about the birth of Eros. One says that he is a primordial god, who is a god that comes into existence asexually, along
with another god that is Chaos and Gaia Earth. EROS Erôs, in Latin, AMOR or CUPI′DO, the god of love. … … … Homer
does not mention Eros, and Hesiod, the earliest author that mentions him, describes him as the cosmogonic Eros. First, says Hesiod Theog. 120,c.,
there was Chaos, then came Ge, Tartarus, and Eros, the fairest among the gods, who rules over the minds and the council of gods and men. Aaron J
Atsma, n.d: 5
The other story says that he is the son of Venus Aprodhite by her love affair with Mars Ares. This story is more regarded in the later classical tradition; both stories
told that Eros is a form of force which is able to light the fire of love among any creatures, the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection. Eros is portrayed as
with a pair of wings, but blind. Eros personality was anything but angelic. He was quite mischievous, and many of his deeds resulted in tragic endings for his “victims”.
Human sees his arrow as striking somewhat randomly
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Wrongly, he is perceived to be angel-like. This is due to the Christianization of a number of Roman and Greek myths during the third and fourth century
A.D. Cupid was not always childlike. After the birth of his brother Anteros, he rapidly grew to become a winged man. He later married Psyche and they
produced a child named Pleasure. Bulfinch, 1855
Eros’s body was kept small as a boy until the birth of his brother named Antheros, the god bearing
the name of “antipathy” and symbol of reciprocal affection. Soon after the birth of Anteros, Eros rapidly grows on size and strength. This legend represents
that love will not grow if it is not returned.
3.2.3 Jealousy
