BETWEEN SENSUALITY, CUNNING, DECEIT AND DEATH: FEMALE MONSTERS AS DESCENDANTS OF PANDORA

Abstract

In Greek Mythology, female monsters, who are savage and animalized women, personify the opposite figure of the Greek man, the figure of the Other. However, the aim of this work is to highlight the fact of these creatures being female, given that this is not a casual aspect: not only their appearance but also their behaviour remind of Pandora and even of Gea and Aphrodite. Femmes fatales, savage women and female monsters share several characteristics, which find a precedent in the first woman. These common attributes are beauty, sensuality, cunning, deceit and connection to death. In this way, there are some recognizable attributes, such as Sirens’ ability to seduce, Harpies and Sphinx’s cunning, Gorgo’s proximity to death, Lamias and Striges’ devouring behaviour, or Empusas’ deceiving attitude. All these hybrid beings combine not only positive but also negative attributes, which serve them to drag men to the Underworld. Thus, their nature is evil and female, as usual according to Greek conception.