# Andromeda Rescued from the Sea Monster explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Perseus, returning from slaying Medusa, sees Andromeda chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster. He offers to rescue her in exchange for her hand in marriage, which her parents accept. Perseus battles and kills the monster, then marries Andromeda. The chapter also describes how Medusa's head turns seaweed into coral.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Medusa's head turns seaweed into coral, illustrating the theme of transformation.

### Love and Desire

Perseus is motivated by love for Andromeda, and their marriage is the chapter's resolution.

### Violence and Revenge

The violent battle between Perseus and the sea monster, and the use of Medusa's head as a weapon.

## Character check-ins

### Perseus

The hero who rescues Andromeda from the sea monster and later marries her.

### Andromeda

The princess chained to a rock as a sacrifice, rescued by Perseus.

### Jove

Father of Perseus, mentioned as the son of thundering Jove.

### Medusa

The Gorgon whose severed head turns things to stone, used by Perseus.

### Mercury

One of the gods to whom Perseus builds an altar.

### Minerva

One of the gods to whom Perseus builds an altar.

## Key lines

> Chain'd to a rock she stood; young Perseus stay'd His rapid flight, to view the beauteous maid.

Andromeda was chained to a rock, and Perseus paused his flight to look at her.

_Perseus first sees Andromeda in her predicament._

> In me the son of thundering Jove behold, Got in a kindly shower of fruitful gold

Perseus declares himself the son of Jove, conceived in a shower of gold.

_Perseus reveals his divine parentage to Andromeda's parents._

> The pliant sprays of coral yet declare Their stiff'ning nature, when exposed to air.

The flexible coral branches harden when exposed to air, showing their petrifying nature.

_Explanation of how coral was formed from Medusa's head._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/andromeda-rescued-from-the-sea-monster
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters