Mythological Face of Ancient Medea in Georgian and Russian Symbolist Poetry

Abstract

The myth of Medea has been a central concept in 20th-century sociology and cultural theory, serving as a potent symbol and narrative tool across various artistic movements, particularly modernism. This paper explores the role of mythology in modernist literature, focusing on the reinterpretation of the Medea myth by French, Russian, and Georgian symbolists. French symbolists, such as Arthur Rimbaud, modernized mythological heroes to fit contemporary cultural contexts. Conversely, Russian symbolists like Valery Bryusov and Andrei Bel emphasized the superhuman qualities of mythological figures, influenced by Nietzschean philosophy. Georgian symbolists, including Titian Tabidze and Sandro Shanshiashvili, offered unique interpretations of Medea, reflecting the socio-political context of Georgia and contrasting the perspectives of East and West. This study highlights the diverse ways in which modernist writers used ancient myths to address contemporary themes and the varying degrees of psychological and cultural rehabilitation of the Medea figure.