Miscellaneous Myths: Perseus

Summary

In this engaging video, the narrator dives into the Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa, beginning with the prophecy that foretold King Acrisius' death at the hands of his grandson. Perseus' journey is filled with divine assistance and magical items, from his miraculous birth to his quest to slay Medusa. Along the way, he rescues the princess Andromeda from a sea monster, and in the end, delivers Medusa's head to the villainous King Polydectes, petrifying him and his court. Ultimately, Perseus fulfills the prophecy in an unexpected and ironic way, leading to a happy conclusion for all involved.

Takeaways

• 😀 Perseus' story begins with a prophecy that foretells King Acrisius' death at the hands of his grandson, leading him to imprison his daughter Danae.
• 😀 Zeus impregnates Danae in her prison by turning into a rain of gold, resulting in the birth of Perseus.
• 😀 In an attempt to avoid the prophecy, King Acrisius casts Danae and baby Perseus into the sea, where they are rescued by a fisherman and his wife.
• 😀 Perseus grows up peacefully on the island of Seriphos until King Polydectes, wanting to marry Danae, sends Perseus on a dangerous quest to kill Medusa.
• 😀 Medusa, once beautiful, is cursed by Athena after Poseidon seduces her in Athena's temple, turning her into a gorgon with snake hair and the ability to turn people to stone.
• 😀 Perseus is aided by the gods Hermes and Athena, who provide him with magical items like winged sandals, a mirror shield, and a sword.
• 😀 Perseus visits the grey sisters, who reveal Medusa's location after he takes their only eye as ransom.
• 😀 Perseus is further aided by nymphs who give him a magic helmet and a sack to carry Medusa's head.
• 😀 Instead of a dramatic battle, Perseus kills Medusa while she sleeps, using his shield to avoid looking at her directly.
• 😀 On his way home, Perseus rescues the princess Andromeda from a sea monster, and later marries her after defeating the beast.
• 😀 Perseus returns to Seriphos, turns Polydectes and his court to stone with Medusa's head, and ultimately fulfills the prophecy when he accidentally kills King Acrisius with a discus.

Q & A

Why does King Acrisius lock his daughter Danae away in a cell?

King Acrisius locks his daughter Danae in an underground cell because an oracle prophesied that his grandson would kill him. In an attempt to avoid this fate, Acrisius imprisons Danae, hoping to prevent her from having children.

How does Zeus manage to make Danae pregnant while she is locked away?

Zeus turns into a shower of gold and enters Danae's cell, impregnating her in the process. This is an example of Zeus’ frequent romantic escapades with mortal women, regardless of their circumstances.

What happens to Danae and her son Perseus after she is locked in the trunk?

Danae and Perseus are placed in a trunk and thrown into the ocean by King Acrisius. They eventually wash up on the island of Seriphos, where they are taken in by a kind fisherman and his wife.

What motivates King Polydectes to send Perseus on the quest to slay Medusa?

King Polydectes wants to marry Danae, Perseus' mother, but she refuses. Fearing Perseus, he decides to send him on a dangerous quest to slay Medusa, believing it will eliminate Perseus as a threat.

Why does Perseus agree to go on the quest to slay Medusa?

Perseus agrees to the quest out of a combination of youthful bravado and naivety, likely not fully realizing the danger. Polydectes convinces him by playing on his honor and courage.

What magical items does Perseus receive to help with his quest, and who gives them to him?

Perseus receives several magical items: Hermes gives him a sword and winged sandals, Athena provides him with a mirror shield, and the nymphs give him a magic helmet for invisibility. These items are crucial for his success in the quest.

How does Perseus find out where Medusa lives?

Perseus learns the location of Medusa’s lair by visiting the Grey Sisters, whom he forces to reveal the information by holding one of their eyes hostage.

How does Perseus defeat Medusa?

Perseus defeats Medusa not by engaging in a dramatic battle, but by sneaking up on her while she is asleep. He uses the mirror shield to avoid looking directly at her and cuts off her head.

What role does Andromeda play in the myth, and how does Perseus save her?

Andromeda is a princess chained to a rock, about to be sacrificed to a sea monster. Perseus saves her by slaying the monster after a daring aerial battle and rescues her from her fate.

How does the prophecy about Perseus' grandfather, King Acrisius, come true?

Years later, during the Olympics, Perseus accidentally kills King Acrisius by striking him with a discus, fulfilling the prophecy that Acrisius would die at the hands of his grandson.