Mythology

Overall, I do not believe there is one singular example of a goddess in Greek mythology that fully represents the confrontation of female power and male power. A combination of the myths to me, seems to be more accurate and more fully encompasses the dynamic and tense struggle between male and female power in the illustrious mythology of the Greeks. Artemis, Athena, and Hera together epitomize the full spectrum of power and even the contradictions in power and personality of the female Greek god.

The myths of these women show how women can be powerful, connected to the earth, connected to physical & mental prowess, as well as connected firmly to the feminine, what is domestic, and the family. The combination of these goddess myths also show the spectrum of emotion of women (good and bad) as well as how women are symbols of sexuality, fertility, and virginity. These women are both independent and autonomous, but are also connected to or interdependent with men, with respect to marriage, children, and family.

With respect to the mythology of the male gods, Zeus, Apollo, and Hephaestus seem to be a combination that matches the dynamism of their female goddess counterparts. These gods represent the good and the bad of males; they also represent the spectrum of power and balance of male energy. There is no one god or goddess myth that I feel fully represents the tension between male and female gods because individually, the Greeks gods are extremely fallible and their weaknesses are very apparent.

One singular myth also does not fully express the pervasive tension between the sexes as well as the ways in which the sexes are polarized. This is why a selection of two or three myths from each sex expresses to me fully the tension and the sexism (in both directions) throughout Greek mythology. These gods represent how strong men are, how they have ingenuity, are capable of mental & physical achievements, but additionally have very apparent, and almost human-like weaknesses.