Medusa, my dear Medusa, you are one of the most well known and talked about beings from ancient Greek mythology that we have ever heard of. Hunted by many warriors that wished to claim the prize of your head, many tried, and many have failed. It was said that men who gazed upon your eyes would turn to stone instantly. Generally described you as a winged human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Well, lets see …
Medusa was one of the three Gorgon sisters, daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto. Medusa – the only mortal among the Gorgon sisters – was also distinguished from them by the fact that she alone was born with a beautiful face. .”In the Odyssey, the gorgon is a briefly mentioned inhabitant of the underworld—one whom Persephone could apparently “sic” on anyone who angered her. It isn’t until several years later that another author gives the gorgon more of a backstory. Hesiod, in his Theogony (700 BCE), describes the gorgons as three sister-monsters born of Phorcys and Ceto, two primordial ocean deities. He calls them Stheno (“the mighty”), Euryale (“the wide wandering” or “the far springer”), and finally, Medusa (“the cunning one” or “the queen”). He also describes a key difference between Medusa and her two sisters, one that becomes extremely important later: Medusa, unlike the other two gorgons (and for reasons not explained), is fully mortal. Ovid especially praises the glory of her hair, “most wonderful of all her charms
Medusa was not always considered a monster, in fact she was a mortal who was very well known for her stunning beauty until she felt the wrath of Athena, either due to her boastfulness of her beauty or because of an ill-fated love affair with Poseidon.
Her name meant “guardian” and “patroness” and Her story shows the potential cruelty that the Greek gods can have. Transformed into a vicious monster with snakes for hair, she was killed by Perseus, who used her still potent head as a weapon, before gifting it to Athena.
Medusa was a priestess to the goddess Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom and battle. One requirement to be a priestess for Athena is that the young woman must be a virgin and give her life to the goddess.
Medusa was stunningly beautiful with luscious hair and was often compared to Athena’s beauty. It wasn’t long before Athena’s jealousy of Medusa became obvious.
Poseidon (The god of the sea) lusted for Medusa and was infatuated by her beauty. Medusa rejected Poseidon, because if she wished to remain the priestess of Athena’s temple, she must remain a virgin.
Poseidon had a conflict with Athena and he saw Medusa as a possession that he could take from the goddess. Eventually Poseidon grew tired of being rejected by Medusa and decided that he would take her by force. Medusa feared for her life and ran into Athena’s temple hoping Athena would protect her. Athena ignored Medusa’s plea for help, and Poseidon had his way with Medusa, by raping and impregnating the priestess on the steps of Athena’s temple. Poseidon vanished after he was done and left Medusa vulnerable and weak.
Medusa prayed to Athena for guidance and forgiveness. After all, in those days, the gods claimed their mates as their partner forever, and Medusa was now Poseidon’s wife. Athena was in rage that Medusa had lost her virginity to Poseidon, and she decided that she would punish Medusa. Punishment against the gods such as Poseidon was considered unthinkable.
Athena cursed Medusa and the hair that she was once so envious of and turned her hair into a head of venomous snakes. Medusa was now a monster woman. Medusa was banished from civilization. Anyone who looked into her eyes would be petrified and turned to stone. She looked at them in fear and saw them turn to stone in front of her eyes. She was scared of her powers and angry at the gods for cursing her.
Also some mythology enthusiasts claim, for example, that Medusa was never raped at all. Instead, they say, she was obsessed with her own beauty and tired everyone around her by bragging about it incessantly. One day, she visited the temple of Athena with friends and spent the entire time claiming that she was more beautiful than the goddess herself, for which the goddess cursed her with an appearance so horrifying that it could turn people to stone.
It’s more difficult to trace the potential origins of this interpretation, but it’s possible that Hesiod’s description of Medusa’s relationship to Poseidon—in which the god beds her in a romantic field of wildflowers (lines 278-79 of Theogeny) may have had something to do with it—though again, it’s only two lines of text and does not specify whether Medusa was already a “monster” when Poseidon became interested (we all know the gods weren’t exactly picky).
Around 8 AD, Ovid—a Roman poet celebrated for his faithful retelling of popular Greek myths—produced his famous Metamorphoses, an expansive book of myths which includes the myth of Perseus and his slaying of Medusa. In this section of the book, Ovid gives a completely different origin story for the terrifying creature.
Word spread of the monster that Medusa had become, and she became the target of many warriors that literally wanted her head. All that tried shared the same fate and were turned to stone after looking into Medusa’s eyes. Until Perseus, son of Zeus was tasked with retrieving her head.
Perseus’s mother was being forced into marriage with Polydectes, the king of Seriphos. Trying to get rid of Perseus, Polydectes sent the great hero on a quest. “Fetch me the head of Medusa,” commanded Polydectes. In order to complete his task, Perseus required aid from the gods. He was given a helmet from Hades that made him invisible to Medusa. A pair of winged sandals from Hermes allowed him to reach Medusa. Athena gave him a bronze shield that was able to reflect the gaze of Medusa and lastly, he was given a sword from Zeus that was sharp enough to cut the head off Medusa.
Since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus was able to slay her while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena.
Medusa was pregnant at the time of her death with the baby of Poseidon, and When Perseus severed her head, her two unborn children Pegasus, a winged horse, and Chrysaor, a giant wielding a golden sword, sprang from her body.
Perseus would use the head of Medusa which retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone, to aid him in several adventures and it played a crucial role when defeating the Titan Atlas.
Perseus flew past the Titan Atlas, who stood holding the sky aloft, and transformed him into stone when he tried to attack him. In a similar manner, the corals of the Red Sea were said to have been formed of Medusa’s blood spilled onto seaweed when Perseus laid down the petrifying head beside the shore during his short stay in Ethiopia where he saved and wed his future wife, the lovely princess Andromeda.
Perseus then flew to Seriphos, where his mother was being forced into marriage with the king, Polydectes, who was turned into stone by the head. Then Perseus gave the Gorgon’s head to the goddess Athena, who placed it on her shield, the Aegis.
In classical antiquity the image of the head of Medusa appeared in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion.
Medusa is one of the most misunderstood characters in Greek mythology, she’s often looked at as a cruel monster. She had only the best intentions and placed her trust in the goddess Athena, who ultimately failed her and punished her for her actions that were beyond her control.
Medusa was a loyal woman who spent her youth training to become a priestess to a goddess she worshiped and believed was the strongest of all the Olympians.
Even in death Medusa can be seen as a symbol of good, as her head is used as a protective amulet to keep evil away. However, she does spend all her life with Athena, as she protects her goddess against many foes. So, in a twisted series of events, Medusa fulfills her role of protecting Athena. However, it also led to snakes hating mankind for worshiping the Olympians. This is one story that shows the cruelty of the Greek Gods.
Her story shows us that even the gods are prone to the sins that they heavenly provide themselves above.
What’s clear from all of this is that Medusa not only lives within the realm of myth,
but also within a liminal space.
As long as her story is so variable, she is both monstrous and beautiful, both born to kill and cursed to a life of solitude, both arrogant and humble, both loved and horribly raped. Her story is open for us to take from it what we choose—horror and derision for a simple mythological villain, or pity and sympathy for a girl whose life was taken out of her own hands and changed very much for the worse.
This story making you curious for sure and maybe my dear Nietzsche find inspiration in this story for my favorite quote :
The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.
Želim da skrenem pažnju da smo postojali i prije nego sto smo postali srbi, muslimani, hrvati, bošnjaci i ostali. Bili smo jedan moćan narod sa svojim jezikom, znanjem, duhovnim školama, spomenicima i sjećanjima za koje nas ubjeđuju da su nešto drugo …
Damir na divanu 
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Take care! Where are your contact details though?
LikeLike
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to create a great articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
LikeLike
After looking over a few of the articles on your site, I honestly appreciate your way of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website as well and let me know how you feel.
LikeLike
Aloha! Interesting post! I’m really enjoy this. It will be great if you’ll read my first article on SF!)
LikeLike
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me breakfast due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this issue here on your internet site.
LikeLike
Hello there! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs up for the great info you’ve got right here on this post. I will be coming back to your website for more soon.
LikeLike
This is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise infoÖ Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
LikeLike
I blog frequently and I seriously thank you for your content. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark your website and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your Feed too.
LikeLike
Itís hard to find experienced people in this particular topic, but you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
LikeLike
I blog often and I really thank you for your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
LikeLike
Aw, this was a really good post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a very good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
LikeLike
You are so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve read through a single thing like that before. So great to find somebody with some original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the web, someone with some originality!
LikeLike
May I simply just say what a relief to discover an individual who actually understands what they’re talking about on the web. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people ought to look at this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular because you surely have the gift.
LikeLike
I really like it when people come together and share views. Great site, continue the good work!
LikeLike
Good day! I could have sworn Iíve visited this web site before but after browsing through some of the articles I realized itís new to me. Anyways, Iím certainly happy I found it and Iíll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
LikeLike
Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this web site.
LikeLike
Hello, I do think your blog might be having web browser compatibility issues. When I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, wonderful website!
LikeLike
Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back yet again since i have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
LikeLike
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes that will make the most significant changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
LikeLike
Hi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back once again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
LikeLike
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you need to publish more about this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t speak about these issues. To the next! Many thanks!!
LikeLike
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the greatest blogs on the net. I’m going to highly recommend this web site!
LikeLike
Howdy! This blog post could not be written any better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
LikeLike
Having read this I thought it was extremely informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this short article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
LikeLike
Hi there! I could have sworn Iíve visited this site before but after going through some of the articles I realized itís new to me. Regardless, Iím certainly happy I discovered it and Iíll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!
LikeLike
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been doing a little homework on this. And he actually bought me breakfast simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this topic here on your internet site.
LikeLike
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes which will make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
LikeLike
Very nice article. I absolutely love this website. Keep it up!
LikeLike
You’re so awesome! I do not believe I’ve truly read anything like that before. So wonderful to discover someone with some unique thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with some originality!
LikeLike
I seriously love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as Iím planning to create my own personal site and would like to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Thanks!
LikeLike
Having read this I believed it was really enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
LikeLike
Can I simply say what a comfort to discover somebody who really knows what they are discussing on the web. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people must check this out and understand this side of your story. I can’t believe you aren’t more popular given that you most certainly have the gift.
LikeLike
I quite like reading through a post that will make people think. Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment!
LikeLike
Good article. I’m experiencing some of these issues as well..
LikeLike
Itís hard to come by educated people for this topic, however, you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
LikeLike
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe that this website needs a great deal more attention. Iíll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the information!
LikeLike
I like it when folks get together and share opinions. Great site, stick with it!
LikeLike
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the finest blogs online. I will recommend this website!
LikeLike
Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
LikeLike
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact bought me dinner due to the fact that I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this issue here on your internet site.
LikeLike
I couldnít resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
LikeLike
Everyone loves it when folks get together and share ideas. Great site, stick with it!
LikeLike
Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back once again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.
LikeLike
Good post! We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the great writing.
LikeLike
Greetings, I believe your web site could be having web browser compatibility problems. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, great blog!
LikeLike
I like reading a post that will make people think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
LikeLike
Aw, this was an extremely good post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a really good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
LikeLike
I needed to thank you for this very good read!! I absolutely loved every little bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to look at new things you postÖ
LikeLike
Howdy! This article could not be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this article to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
LikeLike