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approached by the Devil, and he ran in fright (Freud 265). This idea is referred to as
“gynophobia” (Dexter 39). When the female body is taken out of a sexual context, it terrifies
beholders—specifically men, just as in the Medusa example. Medusa was lusted after until her
body and sexuality no longer existed for the pleasures of men. She was then turned into a symbol
of fear and pain. This idea has spread across cultures to the Christian religion where sexual
women are seen as sinful temptresses of holy men.

In early Christian philosophy women and their sexuality were regarded as evil and the
source of male weakness. The fathers of the early Christian church regarded the female body and
sexuality as so wicked that they believed “woman’s only purpose was to tempt man from
following the true path of righteousness” (Bullough et al. 84). This theological mindset is
portrayed through the Hebraic myth of Lilith. The story goes that God created the earth and life.
Being pleased with his creation, He created man to tend to and preside over all of His creations.
This man was Adam. God saw that Adam should not be alone, so he created a woman from the
dust just as he had Adam. This woman was called Lilith (Gaines par. 10). Not long after their
creation, the two humans begin to quarrel as neither wanted to be in the bottom sexual position.
Adam believes he is superior to Lilith as he is a man and was created first. Lilith argues that they
are made from the same substance by the same God and are therefore equal. She becomes
frustrated with Adam’s obstinance and speaks the unutterable name of God. In doing this she
sinned, so she fled the Garden of Eden to the Red Sea. God sent angels to try to get her to come
back to Adam; however, Lilith refused, so the angels tried to kill her (Gaines par. 10). Lilith
made a deal with the angels. She would be allowed to live, but each day one hundred of her
children shall die, and she shall never harm a child who wears a pendant bearing her name
(Gaines par. 10). Lilith went on to be a very sexual figure and was demonized just as Medusa.

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