Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society The Truth About The Minotaur
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May 30, 2025 Historian Jasmine Elmer, an expert on Greek mythology, dives deep into the myth of the Minotaur. She unravels the complex origins of this half-bull, half-man creature, connecting it to human desires and societal taboos. The dark tale of Pasiphae's love for the bull and the implications of King Minos’s choices expose themes of shame and morality. Elmer also explores the Minotaur's symbolism in Minoan culture and how it reflects on masculinity and monstrosity, while touching on Picasso’s artistic interpretations that echo its duality.
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Minotaur Symbolizes Sexual Taboo
- The Minotaur myth symbolizes sexual taboo and human fear, rather than telling the creature's own story.
- The Minotaur, born from a curse, represents shame locked away and needing to be controlled.
Theseus Abandons Ariadne
- Theseus volunteers to stop the Minotaur by entering the labyrinth and killing it.
- Princess Ariadne helps him escape but he abandons her, showcasing his flawed character.
Myth Explores Sexual Shame
- The Minotaur myth openly explores the taboo of bestiality and the resulting sexual shame.
- The creature being locked in a labyrinth symbolizes burying shame deep in the subconscious mind.