Overview
This lecture retells the myth of Perseus, focusing on his quest to slay Medusa, his rescue of Andromeda, and the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy.
The Oracle and Exile of Danae
- King Acrisius of Argos is told by an oracle he will die by his grandson’s hand.
- Acrisius imprisons his daughter Danae to prevent her from having children.
- Zeus, transformed into a golden shower, visits Danae, and she gives birth to Perseus.
- Acrisius sets Danae and Perseus adrift in a chest at sea, fearing the prophecy.
Perseus’s Upbringing and Quest
- Danae and Perseus are rescued by the fisherman Dictys on the island of Seriphus.
- King Polydectes falls in love with Danae and wants to get rid of Perseus.
- Polydectes sends Perseus on a quest to bring back the head of Medusa, a mortal Gorgon.
Perseus’s Divine Aid and Equipment
- Hermes and Athena assist Perseus, giving him a curved sword and a reflective shield.
- Perseus is instructed to seek the Graeae (Gray Women) and steal their shared eye to find Medusa’s location.
- The Nymphs of the North provide him with winged sandals, a helmet of invisibility, and a magic wallet.
Slaying Medusa and Escape
- Perseus finds the sleeping Gorgons and beheads Medusa using the shield as a mirror.
- He stores Medusa’s head in the magic wallet and escapes using the winged sandals as the other Gorgons pursue him.
Rescue of Andromeda and Aftermath
- Perseus finds Andromeda chained to a rock, offered as a sacrifice to appease the gods.
- He kills the monster threatening her and wins her hand in marriage.
- Perseus uses Medusa's head to turn Andromeda's uncle Phineas and his followers to stone during a fight.
Fulfillment of the Oracle
- Perseus returns home, exposes and defeats Polydectes with Medusa’s head, and gives the head to Athena.
- Perseus accidentally kills Acrisius with a discus at games, fulfilling the prophecy.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Oracle — a prophecy or message from the gods.
- Gorgon — a mythical creature with snakes for hair whose gaze turns people to stone.
- Medusa — the only mortal Gorgon, slain by Perseus.
- Graeae (Gray Women) — three sisters who share one eye.
- Magic Wallet — a bag that can hold objects of any size.
- Helmet of Invisibility — renders the wearer unseen.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the sequence and significance of Perseus’s quest and key mythological objects.
- Study definitions of major mythological figures and terms for quiz.