The Key Elements of Myth in the Story of Perseus and Medusa

The Greek mythological figure of Medusa is one that is familiar to many, but the story surrounding the Gorgon is something that is not so well-known and has many conflicting interpretations. Throughout time, various artists and authors have focused on different parts of the myth to paint her as a “beautiful victim, monstrous villain, powerful deity”(ref vice) and everything in between.

When people think of Medusa they immediately think of the beautiful but cunning women with hundreds of venomous snakes for hair and deadly eyes that will instantly turn you to stone. Not so much a monster but someone who with great power and strength that aims to deceive and concur. Whilst the origin of the myth is unknown, stories of such a creature have appeared in ancient Greek myths as far back as around 1194-1184 BCE and have interpreted and modified by many throughout the ages.

The beginning of Medusa’s story is something that is often overlooked in contemporary interpretations. She was born to Phorcys and Ceto and had two sisters, Sthenno and Euryale, known together as the Gorgon sisters. Medusa was different to her monstrous but immortal sisters, she was beautiful but a mortal. The Roman poet Ovid said she was “famed for beauty, and the envious hope of many suitors” and “the glory of her hair, most wonderful of all her charms”(ref webwinds). Previous to Ovid’s description, many described all sisters being born equally as monstrous to each other.

Despite the strong demand of many suitors, she was unable to marry as she was a priestess which required her to also remain a virgin. Most men respected this and were satisfied to just admire her beauty. Except for Poseidon, the god of the sea, when he caught her eye in the temple of Athena, he chose to ignore her vows and raped her. Although she was the victim, Athena was outraged that Medusa’s vows were broken and that the sacred temple was desecrated. So much so that Athena bestowed a curse upon Medusa, turning her beautiful face into something more hideous then even her sisters and turning her luscious hair into snakes. As well as this, anyone who looked into her eyes would be instantly petrified and turned to stone. Banished to a cave in a remote island beyond the end of the ocean, men now pursued her not romantically but to hunt her and kill her as a prize. (ref greek boston).

This cause of the curse is the segment of the myth often left out of modern interpretations and telling’s of the story, instead they focus on her life and eventual death after the curse. The beginning of the end for Medusa starts with the King of Seriphus, Polydectes, who wanted to marry the mother of a well-known hero, Perseus. However, Perseus did not approve of their relationship and sought to stop it. Not wanting Perseus to get in the way of their marriage, Polydectes sent him on a quest which he was sure to fail. That quest was to bring back the head of Medusa who is known to have killed many men.

Aided by the Gods, Perseus was gifted with a reflective bronze shield, a cap of invisibility and a pair of winged sandals to help in his quest. Perseus made it to the land of the Gorgons and navigated the caves by looking through the reflection of his shield to avoid direct eye contact with Medusa. Slipping past the sisters with the cap of invisibility Perseus was able to decapitate Medusa. Out of Medusa’s neck came her two unborn children conceived by Poseidon, Chrysaor and Pegasus. The severed head still retained many its powers, on his trip back over Libya it is said that the blood that dripped from her head spawned venomous snakes from the ground it hit.

Upon his return to Polydectes, instead of presenting him the head he used it to turn him to stone. Aware of the power the head holds, it continued to be used as a weapon during battles for Perseus before eventually being returned to Athena where she used it on her armour. The name Medusa in ancient Greek meant to guard and protect, making it somewhat fitting for her to be used to defend in battle.

Throughout the history of the myth, the key story has stayed largely the same. The biggest change is in how Medusa has been visually represented. It has shifted from an overly hideous figure to become an alluring seductress. Bringing back some of her humanity and less a hybrid monster.