ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the presence of mythologised representation in filicide perpetrator representations in the law. It discusses the representations of two Greek myths – Medea and Heracles – in Western culture, both of which involve parents killing their children. The chapter demonstrates the symbolism of certain time-honoured representations of the parent and the child. It explores the theme of patriarchal dysfunction, taking the reader through the developing representation of female perpetrators in the law on infanticide. The chapter presents the archetypal representations of parent perpetrators from the cases in order to supplement the overarching argument – filicidal representations, while of a socio-legal nature, are myth-like because of their inherent contradictions. It explores the observation that the prominence of children in the cases and in the myths has been mystified. Peter Fitzpatrick argues that law negates the mythical realm, which it initially relies upon, and its denial allows law to mythologise itself.
