Medea & Hecate

My Personal Favourite Female Figures

[Under Construction] In no particular order... These women are each admirable for their outstanding characters, and each is in some way an influence over who I am, or a reflection of what it is that I represent. They all differ from the common stereotyped female roles in the world of entertainment... they are strong willed, independant, and intelligent, yet have lost none of their feminimity.

Scully Catwoman Princess Leia Ripley Beatrice Medea Hecate

Film/TV Figures A brief dossier on each to follow... when I get around to it.


	Ohhh.. that cool stare... oh so charming and impressive. The rational scientific antidote to Mulder's rash, impulsive approach to their work, Scully is my most important fictional influence.

	Sensual, vicious, and alluring... now where can I get my hands on a catsuit?

	The feisty diplomat and the only real female role in the best film ever made, and she's no pansy when it comes to standing up for herself. She's as good (or perhaps better than) the blokes in critical situations and is handy with a blaster. Not only that, but she has had a lot to live up to as my childhood role model.

	Lt. Ripley, the iron-willed alien slayer from the renowned Alien movie series. Undeniably intimidating, an awesome warrior, and oh so cool under pressure. I was particularly impressed with the cloned "resurrected" Ripley. Brilliance, instinct and compassion all rolled into one.

	The mistress of wit. Sharp-tongued Beatrice, Lady Disdain, is a most likeable character. Her haughtiness and headstrong nature is a delight to witness, and her distaste for love, well... how can I disagree? Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more. Men were deceivers ever, One foot in sea, and one on shore To one thing constant, never. Then sigh not so, but let them go, And be you blithe and bonny Converting all your sounds of woe Into Hey nonny, nonny. Sing no more, ditties, sing no more Of dumps so dull and heavy. The fraud of men was ever so Since summer first was leafy. Then sigh not so, but let them go, And be you blithe and bonny Converting all your sounds of woe Into Hey nonny, nonny.

Mythological Figures There are two particular figures in Greek Mythology whom I have developed a favour for, the Goddess Hecate, and the mortal Medea. I first came across Medea when we read her story, by Euripides, in high school as an English text. The story had one hell of an impact upon me, and since then I've had a fascination for the character. Medea was one hell of a woman and has become one of my greatest influences. I did not learn anything about Hecate until about a year ago when a group of friends decided that we would all choose a mythological figure which best represents us as an alter ego (to our internet identities). It was suggested that I consider the Goddess Hecate. So I went and looked her up and was so impressed that I immediately took that name. I was delighted to discover a significant link between Medea and Hecate, in that the woman worshipped the Goddess.


	The story of Medea is written by Euripides. An excerpt from the text: ...She loathes the children and takes no joy in looking after them. And I am afraid that she will hatch some sinister plan. For she has a terrible temper and will not put up with bad treatment (I know her), and I fear she may thrust a whetted sword through her vitals, or kill the royal family and the bride-groom and then win some greater calamity. For she is dangerous. I tell you, no man who clashes with her will find it easy to crow in victory... Medea was the daughter of AEetes and a powerful sorceress. She was a devotee of the goddess Hecate and is famous for her scheming ways and horrendous vengeance. Medea was cursed to fall in love with Jason, whom she promised to help in his quest to ascend the throne of his father by retrieving the Golden Fleece. Medea used her witchery to assist Jason and the famous Argonauts, and in return, he married her at the altar of Hecate. Medea tricked the daughters of Peleas into killing him, so that Jason may ascend the throne, but they were forced to flee to Corinth. There, Jason betrayed the woman who had made so many sacrifices for him by divorcing her and marrying the Princess of Corinth, Glauce. Medea was enamoured, and set herself to revenge. She sent the princess a wedding gift of a robe and a crown. They were poisoned, and Glauce burned to death in her father's arms, who was subsequently poisoned by the embrace. Upon learning what Medea had done to his bride, Jason returned to their home to find Medea had slain her two sons to spite him, and she fled in a chariot drawn by winged dragons given to her by her grandfather, Helios, to refuge in Athens. Jason later died of grief, and Hecate went on to marry Aegeus, King of Athens.

	Hymn to Hecate I call Einodian Hecate, lovely dame, Of earthly, watery, and celestial frame, Sepulchral, in a saffron veil arrayed, Pleased with dark ghosts that wander thro' the shade; Persian, unconquerable huntress hail! The world's key-bearer never doomed to fail; On the rough rock to wander thee delights, Leader and nurse be present to our rites; Propitious grant our just desires success, Accept our homage, and the incense bless.