# Perseus and Medusa explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/perseus-and-medusa
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters