I'm Delighted At How Kaos Fixes 1 Of Greek Mythology's Most Horrifying Myths

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Kaos

This article contains discussions of rape and transphobia.

By fixing one of Greek mythology’s most horrifying myths, Netflix’s Kaos takes a giant step forward with representation in storytelling, and I couldn’t be happier. Since its release, the dark comedy has been lauded as one of the best TV and movie retellings of Greek mythology, incorporating the salacious and twisted parts of the story that many stories remove. As a mythology geek since childhood, I couldn’t agree more. The main narrative is fresh, telling the story of three mortal Kaos characters who have the ability to take away Zeus’ powers.

However, it’s clear that the creator – Charlie Covel – put a lot of attention into getting parts of the Greek mythology in Kaos right, even incorporating fun Easter eggs throughout season 1. However, they also made an effort to fix problematic elements of Greek myths as well, such as giving Riddy (Eurydice) more of a voice in her own story. Additionally, Covell fixed one of the most disturbing Greek myths I’ve ever read: Caeneus’s origin story.

I will use the name Caeneus throughout the article, even when speaking about his life before transitioning, because I refuse to deadname someone – even a fictional character. However, if you decide to read the myths, be aware that they refer to him by his dead name prior to his transition.

Caeneus’ Being Transgender Comes From Rape In Greek Mythology

Poseidon Changes Caeneus Into A Man After Raping Him

While Greek mythology includes numerous disturbing storylines, Caeneus’ rape and transformation are incredibly distressing to me as a transgender person assigned female at birth. The most popular origin story for this Greek mythology figure comes from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, but other writers like Apollodorus, Plutarch, and Acusilaus also recounted the story. In the myths, Caeneus was assigned female at birth and raised as a girl. He was considered especially beautiful, gaining the attention of men but rebuffing their advances. When Poseidon saw Caeneus, he became enamored with the young person’s appearance. So, Poseidon raped him.

The retellings of the myths present this decision as being made due to Caeneus’ attractiveness, but I think it’s important to consider the context. First off, a victim is responsible for getting raped, no matter what they look like. Secondly, in mythology, Poseidon was greedy, selfish, violent, and lustful. Thirdly, the gods frequently abused their power through rape. Combining these factors, I would argue that he saw Caeneus as an “unattainable” prize that he wanted.

Essentially, Caeneus became transgender due to rape and then was killed by his transphobic tormentors.

After Poseidon raped Caeneus, he was so satisfied that he agreed to grant the young person a wish. Caeneus wished to be turned into a male so that he would never get raped or harmed again. (Note: This is the mentality of the character and not meant to suggest that men can't get raped.) Poseidon granted the wish, changing his sex and giving him impenetrable skin as well. The mortal embraced masculinity after physically transitioning, went on to become a Greek hero, and became king of the Lapiths.

In his last battle, the centaurs taunted him about being assigned as female at birth, suggesting he wasn’t actually a man. They tried to kill him and failed because of his impenetrable skin. As such, they buried him alive under the weight of many trees. Essentially, Caeneus became transgender due to rape and then was killed by his transphobic tormentors. As a trans person, I would have been distraught if Kaos faithfully adapted this myth. Even just reading the myths and retellings makes me upset.

Kaos Modernizes The Myth Of Caeneus By Giving Him A New Origin Story

Caeneus' Transness Isn't Caused By Trauma

Knowing the disturbing myth from which Caeneus originated, I was skeptical about seeing him as a character. Luckily, Kaos modernized the myth of Caeneus, giving him a new origin story that reflects present ideals. In the Netflix show, the young man was assigned female at birth and grew up as an Amazon – a fictional society of women warriors that outcast any boys at 11 and killed any who came back. If Caeneus were to be born as a trans man in any society within the fictional world of Kaos, this would arguably be the worst one due to its matriarchal structure.

He always knew he was a boy, but Caeneus continued presenting himself as such because of his cultural upbringing, a familiar choice for many trans people. He stayed with the Amazons until he had no choice but to leave at 15. Covell wrote the conversation between Caeneus and his mom beautifully. I was overjoyed to see that the mom came to Caeneus from a place of love, support, and concern instead of condemnation.

His mother knew he didn’t identify as a girl from a young age and feared for his safety. She made sure he knew that she loved him as he was. To protect him from the society that would kill him, she gave him his new name and sent him away from the camp. Unfortunately, the Amazons tracked him down and killed him for transitioning, which they saw as a defilement of his body and a disgrace to the gods. This is how he got to the Underworld, where he remains throughout Kaos.

Canaeus’ Story In Kaos Is A Major Leap Forward For Trans Representation

Caeneus' Story Shows The Importance Of Trans Creators, Trans Actors, And Trans Stories

The fact that Charlie Covell improved Caeneus' story does not surprise me considering they are trans, themselves. Still, the modernization of Caeneus’ story in Kaos is a huge step forward for transgender storytelling and representation onscreen. When it comes to representation onscreen, transgender characters and openly transgender actors have been largely absent. This is especially true for transmen and nonbinary people, which Alex Schmider, the Associate Director of Transgender Representation at GLAAD, discussed when speaking with TIME. Shmider stated, “Including trans men as characters, and as actors playing them onscreen, communicates a basic but very important message: men of transgender experience exist.” As such, the inclusion of Caeneus and actor Misia Butler is a huge deal.

In addition to basic representation, the portrayal of Caeneus was significant because of how the creative team tells the story. Most transgender stories center on trauma, transphobia, and pain. While this is a sadly real and important experience to acknowledge, the trans community knows our suffering. We’ve been begging Hollywood to show trans stories that don’t center on these topics, and I’m so overjoyed that Caeneus’ story is primarily one of joy.

Ultimately, after watching Kaos , I want more trans creators to tell stories about trans characters – who are played by trans actors – experiencing joy and adventure.

Caeneus's mother loves and supports him, even giving him his new name. She celebrates him instead of mourning him. Additionally, his romance with Riddy is beautiful and authentic and isn't hindered by his transgender identity. She doesn’t make a big deal out of getting sexual with him. Moreover, the ending of Kaos takes a monumental step by showing a transman who went through top surgery shirtless without making a spectacle out of it.

As someone who has gone through top surgery, seeing Caeneus shirtless onscreen feels incredibly validating and emotional. Characters post-top surgery are rarely ever shirtless, and TV shows usually make a big deal out of surgery scars. Contrastingly, Kaos just lets Caeneus exist in his body. Ultimately, after watching Kaos, I want more trans creators to tell stories about trans characters – who are played by trans actors – experiencing joy and adventure. Kaos provides the framework. Now, Hollywood just needs to follow suit.

Sources: Metamorphoses and TIME

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