Medusa

Medusa in Greek Mythology

- Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, monstrous females with snakes for hair. Anyone who looked at them turned to stone. Unlike her sisters, Stheno and Euryale, Medusa was mortal and was slain by the hero Perseus.

- Medusa was the daughter of the primordial sea gods Phorcys and Ceto.

- The Roman author Ovid wrote that Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden. After Poseidon seduced her in Athena's temple,... Sign in / Sign up to learn more about Medusa

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Get started with these commentary-style questions:

• How has the interpretation of Medusa's serpentine hair shifted throughout history, and what symbolic significance does it hold in the context of her mythological narrative?
• In what ways does Medusa's story intersect with themes of victimhood and monstrous femininity, and how might her narrative be reinterpreted for a modern audience?
• What role does the concept of the 'male gaze' play in Medusa's myth, and how does it influence interpretations of her power and agency?
• Which artistic representations of Medusa resonate most closely with her character and mythological significance, and what do these depictions reveal about her enduring cultural impact?
• How do the contradictory roles of monster and mother coexist within Medusa's myth, and what do these dualities reveal about the complexities of female identity?
• What significance do Medusa's sisters, Stheno and Euryale, hold in her story, and how do their relationships with her contribute to a deeper understanding of her character?
• What can be inferred about Medusa's personality, dreams, aspirations, and fears before her transformation, and how do these aspects of her character inform her subsequent actions and mythological significance?

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