The Epic Story of Perseus Explained | Best Greek Mythology Documentary

Summary

The script narrates the myth of Perseus, starting with his grandfather Acrisius' desperate attempt to avoid a prophecy that his grandson would kill him. Despite locking his daughter Danae in a tower, Zeus fathers Perseus through her, and he grows up to slay Medusa, saving Andromeda along the way. Perseus returns home to find his grandfather’s prophecy fulfilled when a discus accidentally kills Acrisius. Exiled for the crime, Perseus founds the powerful kingdom of Mycenae. The myth hints at the legendary hero Heracles, a descendant of Perseus, setting the stage for future legendary tales.

Takeaways

• 😀 A new age of heroes begins a century before the fall of Troy, with the kingdom of Argos ruled by King Acrysius.
• 😀 Acrysius is desperate for a son to inherit his throne, but the oracle warns of a prophecy where his grandson will eventually kill him.
• 😀 To avoid the prophecy, Acrysius locks his daughter, Danae, in a bronze tower, but Zeus, struck by her beauty, secretly impregnates her with a shower of gold, leading to the birth of Perseus.
• 😀 Acrysius, terrified by the prophecy, casts Danae and Perseus adrift in a chest, eventually landing on the island of Seraphos where they are taken in by a fisherman named Dictys.
• 😀 King Polydectes of Seraphos, desiring Danae, plots to rid himself of Perseus by sending him on an impossible quest to slay Medusa, the Gorgon.
• 😀 Medusa, once a beautiful priestess of Athena, was cursed by the goddess after Poseidon violated her, transforming her into a monster whose gaze turns men to stone.
• 😀 Perseus receives divine help from Athena and Hermes, gaining gifts like an indestructible sword, a shield for protection, and winged sandals to aid in his journey.
• 😀 Perseus uses his shield's reflection to safely navigate Medusa's lair and decapitate her, from which the winged horse Pegasus springs forth.
• 😀 On his return journey, Perseus saves Princess Andromeda from a sea monster, earning her hand in marriage as a reward.
• 😀 Perseus returns home to find his mother in danger, using Medusa's head to turn Polydectes and his guards to stone, ensuring Danae’s safety.
• 😀 At an athletic competition in Argos, Perseus accidentally kills his grandfather, King Acrysius, fulfilling the prophecy. Unable to stay in Argos, he establishes the powerful city of Mycenae.

Q & A

Why did King Acrysius imprison his daughter Danae?

King Acrysius imprisoned his daughter Danae because he was terrified of a prophecy that stated his grandson would one day kill him. He locked Danae away in a high bronze tower to prevent her from having a child.

How did Zeus cause Danae to become pregnant with Perseus?

Zeus, struck by Danae's beauty, transformed into a shower of gold and fell upon her, resulting in her pregnancy with Perseus.

What did King Acrysius do after discovering Danae and Perseus?

Upon discovering Danae and Perseus, Acrysius, fearing the prophecy, decided to banish them from the kingdom. He locked them in a chest and let it drift out to sea.

How did Perseus end up on the island of Seraphos?

Perseus and his mother, Danae, were cast adrift in a chest and eventually washed up on the shores of Seraphos, where they were discovered and taken in by a fisherman named Dictes.

Why did King Polydectes want to get rid of Perseus?

King Polydectes desired Danae as his wife, but Perseus always protected her. To remove Perseus from the picture, Polydectes tricked him into agreeing to fetch the head of Medusa as a challenge.

Who helped Perseus in his quest to slay Medusa?

Perseus received help from the gods Athena and Hermes. Athena provided him with a polished shield, and Hermes gave him an indestructible sword. He was also directed to consult the Grey Sisters, who gave him further advice.

What was the curse placed on Medusa by Athena?

Medusa was cursed by Athena after being raped by Poseidon in Athena's temple. As punishment, Medusa's once-beautiful hair was transformed into snakes, and anyone who looked at her directly would be turned to stone.

What did Perseus do after slaying Medusa?

After slaying Medusa, Perseus mounted the winged horse Pegasus, which sprang from Medusa's body, and began his journey home. Along the way, he encountered and rescued Andromeda.

How did Perseus save Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus?

Perseus saw Andromeda chained to a rock as a sacrifice to the sea monster Cetus. He offered to slay the creature in exchange for her hand in marriage. Using his winged sandals, he flew over the monster and killed it.

What tragic event occurred at the athletic competition in Argos?

At an athletic competition in Argos, Perseus accidentally killed his grandfather, King Acrysius, with a discus, fulfilling the prophecy that Acrysius would be killed by his grandson.