Lately, I have really begun to feel that Hera's sufferings have been invisiblized. Imagine you're the Queen of Marriage and Family and your husband's name comes on the top of the deafaulters' list every week??? And you can't even kill him? Or divorce him? Also, given how girls are taught about the "sanctity of marriage" from a young age, separating from him or involving other people in the problem has been internalized by us as a big no-no. What can you do? You ignore and let it slide once, twice thrice but multiple times?? (Folks don't let it slide it at all.) So what do you do?? You target the ones you atleast have a chance of overpowering. (I'm by no means justifying or excusing the cruelties, just explaining them). You want to seek the control and security that you're not allowed. That which had been forcefully, deceptively and patriarchly taken from you. How, you ask? By deceiving yourself and making yourself content with the modicum of power you're able to accrue by making others miserable. By victimising the victims.
They had one unfortunate encounter with Zeus, she deals with him everyday. You may have a support system after the assault, she has none. You have gods to pray to and vent. She can pray to none. She has been reduced to a joke in front of the pantheon. The Goddess of Marriage whose own marriage is in shambles. The Goddess of Family who try however she might, cannot have one. The Queen of the pantheon but remembered only as Zeus' wife.
She was Gaia's too, just not loved as much. Just taught that His word is the last word. He is the source of your joy. If he makes you cry, then too bad.
She was Poseidon's and Hades' sister too but they did not protect her. Well, the moment she became the wife and sister-in-law, she ceased to be a sister.
She ruled others beside Zeus, not under him. But it seems his sceptre was more fearful than her crown.
She would not let this slide. If Zeus wouldn't allow her to be the Goddess she was fated to be, she'll carve her own title. She'll be remembered as the Goddesd of Vengeance and Cruelty. Hera refuses to be a joke, not when it comes at the cost of her tears. She learnt how to be selfish from Zeus. If she cannot have a happy marriage and family, she couldn't care less about others'.
Note: this is an attempt to showcase Hera's misfortune. By no means was it intended to reduce other victims' plight. Apologies if it came across like that.
