Many words that have become household names often come from ancient mythology. So, a beautiful woman can be called Athena, a series of troubles - Pandora's box, and an angry and grumpy woman - a shrew.
But few people know who the vixen really is. Did the mythological character with the same name really have such an unpleasant character? Did Vixen have reason to be angry and resentful?
Mythological story
Megera is the name of one of the Erinyes (furies). She was the daughter of King Creon and the wife of Hercules. It was from the hands of her husband that Megara accepted death along with her children: different sources attribute a different number of offspring to the pair of Hercules and Megara.
It's paradoxical, but in mythology there is no mention of the actions of Megara, allowing you to safely say that she is the most terrible and vengeful woman. Her sisters, Alecto and Tisiphone, whose names are known only to people interested in ancient culture and mythology, could be remembered by readers for very eccentric actions.
Alecto provoked bloody wars and, in the form of a snake, penetrated the heart of Queen Amata, turning her into an evil and insane woman. Tisiphone killed her lover who rejected her with her snake hair. And only Megaera does not have any bright stories behind her, while remaining the personification of the most terrible, angry and grumpy woman in the world.
The three sisters are the embodiment of evil and vengeance. Choosing a victim who is the killer of their blood relatives, the furies pursued her, driving her to madness. The unfortunate killer could have noticed their approach by the stench spreading around.
Vienna appearance
Despite the fact that Megaera is perceived as the most terrible woman, the heroine of mythology did not have a repulsive appearance. And even today, using a figurative meaning, the term is rarely used, trying to emphasize external unattractiveness.
On the contrary, sources claim that Erinyes (furies) were attractive women, with somewhat sharp features and snakes instead of hair. Some sources mention wings behind the back.
Repeatedly, Vixen could be seen in a variety of adaptations and plays. The authors gave free rein to their imagination, so the three sisters were portrayed as annoying flies, bats with dog heads, and also as attractive goddesses holding torches and whips in their hands.
Allegorical meaning
Knowing who Megaera is in mythology, it is easy to guess what meaning a person puts into the word, characterizing a woman with this word. Megara is an evil, grumpy and vengeful woman. These three qualities are prevalent, notgiving way to others, more human.
But it is impossible to call the word an insult in the full sense of the word, because Megara was a goddess, and, therefore, such a characteristic, although it emphasizes the quarrelsomeness of a woman, is pronounced with a touch of admiration and reverence.
Knowing who Megara is, one should hardly be offended by such a contradictory comparison. But the reason to reconsider your behavior and stop being a modern version of the goddess of vengeance is undoubtedly worth it.
The behavior of the "shrew" and its characteristics
Considering the term, it is necessary to understand what is being put into the word shrew today. The meaning, although close to its mythological source, is still different from it. Modern shrews do not pursue criminals, do not kill recalcitrant lovers and do not become the causes of bloody wars. So who is the vixen today?
The main characteristic of such a woman is aggression. Anger in a hidden form is hardly a reason to remember the name of one of the Fury sisters.
Megera is always quarrelsome, it is difficult to please her, it is impossible to adapt to her. She subconsciously or consciously looks for a reason for confrontation, and in any dispute she chooses as a weapon not weighty arguments, but expression, screams, anger and curses.
Besides this, the vixen is quite a cunning and envious person, so she is able to bring any person into conflict. Comparing a woman with the goddess of vengeance, people thereby emphasize that the only way not toto get into a quarrel with her - to be away from her.
Knowing who Vixen is in ancient mythology, and what women are called Vixens today, you can easily recall living examples among your friends.
