Book four in my mythological retelling series centers around two main ideas. One: trying to win daddy's favor is an effort in futility. Two: Medusa got the shaft.
Not going to dwell on the first as it's in progress, and I don't want to give any spoilers.
But let's trot down Medusa Lane for a moment.
This woman was a handmaiden for Athena in her temple. Pledged herself to this goddess. Then Poseidon, walking sphincter, raped her in the temple. And instead of Athena being like...hey! Let's fuck this Sea God up, she punished Medusa.
There are so many layers to this.
First of all, Athena would NOT pass the Bechdel test. She basically raped what Poseidon couldn't touch. She ruined the rest of Medusa's life. Cursed her for eternity.
And this is a running theme with these hedonistic fuckers. Worship me or be punished. Worship me AND be punished.
In my first MR book, I write about the relationship between Apollo and Hyacinthus. In a nutshell, Apollo accidentally killed his lover and then turned him into a flower.
That's also a running theme with these assholes. In fact, I have Hyacinthus' brother say, "Yeah. Those fuckers like to do that."
It's having their cake and eating it, too.
Feels like half the well-known flowers that exist have a messed-up back story.
But I digress. The smallest bit.
The gods, in all cultures, got away with everything they wanted. Usually in the cruelest way available. And that, my dear ones, is why they need a mythological retelling and comeuppance of monumental proportions.
*flexes fingers*
May it be so.