The Myth Of Medusa And Perseus

For some people, the myth of Medusa and Perseus is a metaphor for the horrific and how it is possible to save oneself from it through art.

For others, it represents a feminine myth in which an ill-treated woman becomes monstrous. This image is undoubtedly something that terrifies and  petrifies everyone who faces it.

There are several versions of the myth of Medusa and Perseus, but the most classic says that they both had a tragic background. Medusa was one of the gorgons – daughters of Forkys and Keto.

Of the three, Medusa was the most beautiful and also the only one that was deadly. Her beauty aroused the admiration of gods as well as humans.

Some say that Poseidon was so beaten by her that he raped her at a shrine belonging to Athena. But Athena did not allow this desecration and turned Medusa into a monster.

She gave her and her sister metal hands and sharp fangs. Medusa’s once beautiful hair was also transformed into snakes.

She also got eyes that shone with a horrible glow, and everyone who saw her face turned to stone. Pregnant, she was then thrown into the human world.

The origin of Perseus

The myth of Medusa and Perseus says that the king of Argos was told that his daughter’s son would kill him one day.

To avoid the prophecy becoming a reality, he locked his daughter Danae in a bronze chamber underground. But  Zeus was in love with her  and entered the house in the form of a golden rain.

He seduced Danae, and eventually Perseus was born. His cry made the king realize what had happened, so he locked the two in a coffin and threw it into the sea.

However, the two were rescued to an island, where Perseus grew up and became a handsome young man. The king of the island, however, tricked Perseus into promising to kill Medusa, because the king wanted to get rid of him.

However, Athena was still angry with Medusa and therefore promised to help him, and so did Hermes. They guided him to the Grays, who were prophetic relatives of Medusa with only one tooth and one eye to share.

When they were not paying attention, Perseus stole both the eye and the tooth, and in exchange for giving them back, they showed him the way to the nymphs.

Perseus’ powers

The myth of Medusa and Perseus says that he arrived at the nymphs and was equipped with winged sandals so that he could fly.

They also gave him Hade’s helmet, made of dog skin, which made the wearer invisible. He also received a saddlebag while Hermes gave him a sharp cut and a shiny shield.

Perseus was fully equipped and ready to look for the gorgons. On the way there, he came across many stone statues – people who had previously visited the site and were petrified by Medusa.

He knew he had to be careful and waited for the right opportunity. When the gorgons fell asleep, he used the shield to look behind him and avoid looking directly at Medusa.

Once at them, he took his cut and cut off her head with a single blow. The winged horse Pegasos and the giant Chrysaor came out of her body,  because they were the children she was carrying.

The myth of Medusa and Perseus – a beautiful story

The myth of Medusa and Perseus says that the young hero used Medusa’s head to defeat his enemies, because it had not lost its power.

He put it in his saddlebag and took it out to turn monsters and enemies into stone.

It is said that this myth is linked to art in a symbolic way. Perseus’ shield represents a way of meeting horrific things indirectly,  which is basically what art does: it reflects.

It allows us to see the beast in the eye but at the same time prevent it from paralyzing us.

Medusa’s head also becomes a weapon for Perseus, which can also be seen symbolically. It is with art that we succeed in confronting the demons and inner enemies we have inside.

Medusa’s head is the work, the result and the product of creation.