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 * Note: This article is being written as a class assignment. Please do not edit or attach until December 2014 when the assignment will be completed! Thank you.

Snake lore in Greek mythology
Snakes and serpents often play a role in mythological and religious lore around the world, including in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Christian traditions. Snake lore differs from snake worship in that it is a matter of orthodoxy versus orthopraxy. In Greek mythology, snakes represent both good and evil; they are themselves a dichotomy of both death and regeneration. Snakes are both used as symbols for gods and goddess (including Medusa, Athena, and Apollo) as well as symbols of both evil and protection from evil. Like all oral traditions, there are often two versions of the same story, though these differences do not have an effect on the overall meaning of the myths themselves.

Medusa
Medusa (or "ruling one") is one of three Gorgon sisters in Greek mythology. While she was not directly named in the Iliad, she was indirectly referenced. After being raped by the god of the sea, Neptune, Medusa's hair was turned into snakes by Athena as punishment. Medusa was otherwise considered beautiful, but her gaze had the power to turn living beings to stone. Perseus, a Greek hero, killed Medusa by cutting off her head. The blood that dripped from her severed head turned into snakes when it hit the ground. The lore of Medusa may have originated from the Mesopotamian bird and snake goddess.

Athena
Athena is the goddess of wisdom and war. When going into battle, Athena, who had originally turned Medusa's hair into snakes, went into war she donned a Gorgon shield and a serpent cloak. These symbols allowed Athena to both don the evil characteristics represented by the symbol of the snake as well as the protection of it.

Apollo
Apollo is the god of many subjects, including oracles, knowledge, and medicine. He is often represented holding a snake-encircled staff (referred to as the Æsculapian staff), which today is a symbol of the medical field. He is also sometimes depicted with a snake on either side of him. This is representative of the positive associations of serpents in Greek lore, including qualities of an oracle as well as that of a healer. Apollo is said to have killed a snake (the dragon Python) with his bow at the Septerion festival in Delphi.

Cleverness and wisdom
Greek mythology often considers snakes to have qualities of cleverness and wisdom, beyond that of normal creatures. As seen in the story of Apollo at Delphi, the snake that was killed is often told to be either the guardian of an oracle or an oracle itself. Like this story, snakes are often associated with springs and are said to have prophetic powers.

Regeneration
Snakes are also said to have qualities of regeneration and the ability to heal. Medusa, for example, was able to bring both death (through her eyes) and healing (through her blood). This dichotomy is similar to snake venom, which can be both deadly poison and an antitoxin if used correctly. Snakeskin is another example of this idea of regeneration: snakes are literally able to regenerate and shed their scales in order to rid themselves of pests and allow further growth. This quality of regeneration is most likely why snakes are associated with Apollo, the god of medicine.

Protection
Again as seen in the story of Apollo at Delphi, snakes are said to have protective qualities. The snake in that particular story is often said to have been the guardian of an oracle. Similarly, Athena donned both a Gorgon shield and a serpent cloak before going into battle, because of the fear it would induce in her enemies as well as the protection the symbols offered for herself. Images of Medusa and her snake hair were often placed on shields, doorways, roofs, etc. as a form of protection as well.

Death
Despite their association with healing, snakes are also commonly associated with death. Greek mythology is no exception. Medusa, for example, had the power to kill any living being by turning them into stone through eye contact. Similarly, Athena's use of snake symbolism when going into battle allowed her to embrace the deadly attributes of the reptile in order to empower herself and defeat her enemies.

Evil
Like Christianity, in which snakes are often depicted as evil and related to malevolent forces, Greek mythology also often portrays snakes as possessing "evil" qualities. Athena's war apparel is often referred to as depicting evil -- the "essence of destruction."

Change in being
The idea of metamorphosis is also closely related to snakes. This is most likely due to the reptilian ability to shed skin and create a "new" self. This association is again visible in other religions (specifically Christianity), in which snakes are common forms for evil beings to take. In Greek mythology, the metamorphic qualities of snakes are represented both by the ability to turn beings into stone and by Athena's ability to change her character and image by donning war clothes with snake symbols on them.

Feminist commentary
The feminist commentary on snakes in Greek mythology is quite apparent in scholarly literature. Medusa specifically brings up many issues, including both her imagery as one that emasculates (through turning her victims to stone) as well as the phallic imagery of her snaky persona. Many feminist scholars take issue with the labeling of Medusa as "monstrous," as she is considered a beauty but for her emasculating abilities. There is also much discussion of her story of victim blaming, in which she is punished by Athena for being raped by Neptune.

The metamorphosis association of snakes also bring issue in feminist study by the tradition of "changeability" of women. This is again denoted through both Medusa's power to turn to stone as well as Athena's ability to change persona by taking on her costume of war.

Lastly, in some mythological traditions, the snake killed by Apollo was both female and nameless, leaving many feminist scholars to argue misogynistic traditions through denial of both feminine identity and power.