Chapter Thirteen Lecture Two Perseus and the Myths

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

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