Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Perseus and Medusa explained
Perseus, son of Jupiter and Danaë, is set adrift with his mother by his grandfather Acrisius due to a prophecy.
What happens
Perseus, son of Jupiter and Danaë, is set adrift with his mother by his grandfather Acrisius due to a prophecy. They are rescued by King Polydectes, who later sends Perseus to slay Medusa, a once-beautiful maiden turned into a serpent-haired monster by Minerva. With help from Minerva and Mercury, Perseus beheads Medusa while using a reflective shield to avoid her petrifying gaze, and later gives the head to Minerva for her Aegis.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Perseus undertakes a dangerous mission to slay Medusa, aided by gods, exemplifying the heroic quest.
Hubris and Divine Retribution
Medusa's pride in vying with Minerva leads to her transformation into a monster and eventual death.
Characters to notice
- Perseus
Protagonist who slays Medusa with divine aid.
- Danaë
Mother of Perseus, set adrift with him.
- Jupiter
Father of Perseus.
- Minerva
Goddess who lends her shield and later receives Medusa's head for her Aegis.
- Mercury
Lends his winged shoes to Perseus.
- Medusa
Monster with serpent hair whose gaze turns living things to stone; slain by Perseus.
Key passages
“She was once a beautiful maiden whose hair was her chief glory, but as she dared to vie in beauty with Minerva, the goddess deprived her of her charms and changed her beautiful ringlets into hissing serpents.”
Medusa was originally a beautiful woman known for her hair, but after challenging Minerva's beauty, the goddess turned her hair into snakes.
Explains Medusa's origin and punishment for hubris.
“Perseus, favored by Minerva and Mercury, the former of whom lent him her shield and the latter his winged shoes, approached Medusa while she slept, and taking care not to look directly at her, but guided by her image reflected in the bright shield which he bore, he cut off her head”
With help from Minerva's shield and Mercury's winged sandals, Perseus beheaded the sleeping Medusa by looking only at her reflection.
Describes the method of Medusa's slaying.