EVIL REPRESENTATIONS OF WOMEN IN MYTHOLOGY: REFLECTIONS OF GENDER STEREOTYPES

Abstract

Mythological stories are one of the important elements that shape the collective consciousness of cultures and societies. However, the fact that female characters are often depicted in a more malevolent manner than men in these mythologies has a profound impact on the mythological legacy of gender stereotypes. "Women are bad" motifs, which are frequently encountered in mythological texts, are repeated in many cultures, especially in Greek, Roman, Northern European and Indian mythologies. Characters such as Al Karısı, Medusa, Circe, Lilith, Kali and Hel are examples of women being depicted as dangerous, deceitful or sinful in mythological stories. He is even represented in the stories as a murderer who kills his children. The creation story of Pandora, the first woman in Greek mythology, reveals stereotypes that tend to represent women's weakness, cunning, or sinfulness in mythology. These representations played a role in shaping and reinforcing the role of women in society. Mythological stories tend to reflect the social norms and values ​​of that period. Depicting women as evil strengthened the gender roles of that period and limited the position of women in society. These stereotypes, as a legacy originating from mythology, also affect the general perspectives of societies.

Our study aims to examine the malevolent tendencies of female characters in mythological stories of different cultures and to reveal how these representations are associated with social norms and values.