Chapter Thirteen Lecture Two Perseus and the Myths
- Slides: 24
Chapter Thirteen, Lecture Two Perseus and the Myths of the Argive Plain
Legends of Perseus Danaë and the Shower of Gold
Danaë and the Shower of Gold • Lynceus (the one spared) in Argos after Danaüs • His son Abas has twins – Acrisius, rules in Argos – Proetus, rules in nearby Tiryns • Acrisius has a daughter, Danaë, but wants sons
Danaë and the Shower of Gold • Oracles says Danaë will have a son, but that he will kill him (Acrisius) • Zeus’s “rain shower” impregnates her • Set adrift in a wooden box • Dictys at Seriphos • Polydectes – Perseus tricked into going on a quest for the head of a Gorgon
Perseus, the Gorgon Slayer
Perseus, the Gorgon Slayer • Gorgons – Stheno – Euryalê – Medusa (the only mortal Gorgon) • Help from the Graeae – “Where can the Gorgons be found? ”
Perseus the Gorgon Slayer • Magical implements – Cap of Hades – Winged sandals – The kibisis – Extra sharp sword – Highly polished bronze shield
Perseus the Gorgon Slayer • From the body of Medusa, who was pregnant by Poseidon – Pegasus, later tamed by Bellerophon – Chrysaör • Perseus frees his mother from Polydectes’s aggression with the head of Medusa
Perseus and Andromeda
Perseus and Andromeda • A variant has Perseus returning to Seriphos after a few adventures • Joppa ruled by Cepheus
Perseus and Andromeda • Cepheus’s daughter, Andromeda, about to be sacrificed to a sea monster, because of the rash boast by her mother, Cassiopeä – Perseus given Andromeda and the kingdom for having freed her • Phineus, to whom Andromeda had been betrothed, killed with his men by the head of Medusa
The Death of Acrisius
The Death of Acrisius • Perseus returns to Argos • Acrisius flees (it is fated that Perseus will kill him) • At a sports contest in Thessaly, Perseus accidentally kills him with a stray discus • Trades Argos of Tiryns with Megapenthes, a son of Proetus • Perseus also builds Mycenae
The Death of Acrisius • After a long rule, Perseus and Andromeda become constellations, where their story can be seen
Perseus and Folktale
Perseus and Folktale • Perseus’ tale is nearly a child’s fairy tale • Closest we have to a folktale • The form of the girl’s tragedy for Danaë
Perseus and Folktale • Prohibition – Can’t marry • Seclusion – Locked in a chamber • Violation of the prohibition – The shower • Threat of punishment or death – Set adrift in a box • Liberation – Save by Dictys
Perseus and Folktale • Perseus’s story somewhat like Gilgamesh’s – More emphasis on the quest • Extraordinary birth; his own strength a threat to his family; impossible labors with divine help; rewarded in the end with a kingdom and wife • Differences: no taboo, no male friend
Perseus and Folktale • Perseus devoid of internal struggle and personality – These are adult themes and not a part of folktale • Perhaps the Perseus story circulated as oral tales (for children? ) before it was written down
Medusa’s Head
Medusa’s Head • Deeper, psychological meaning? – Freud: Medusa’s head is the female pudenda • A reflection of the social conditions under which a young boy was raised? – The death of Medusa symbolic of the boy’s release from his mother • Overthrown of aboriginal matriarchy ?
Medusa’s Head • Medusa perhaps not an original part of the Perseus story • Homer: – Gorgo on the shield of Agamemnon – Gorgo on the walls of Hades’s palace • When, where, how, and why the “Gorgons” develop their full iconography is not known
Medusa’s Head • Cult of the snake goddess? • Image used as apotropaic device
End
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