Medusa: the hideous woman-turned-gorgon with venomous snakes for her hair. She is monstrous, turning anyone that stares directly into her eyes into stone. Throughout Greek mythology, various heroes had been sent to rid this evil creature from the world, however, only Perseus, son of Zeus and Danae, was able to complete the task. Perseus was sent to retrieve the head of Medusa by King Polcydeotes in hopes of sending Persues away permanently and marrying his mother. Although Persues was wildly unprepared, his determination to save his mother and portray his braveness to his father allowed him to be successful on his perilous journey. To help him, he was gifted winged sandals by Hermes and a shield by Athena. Furthermore, the Nymphs of the West gifted him a sword to kill Medusa, the magical cap of Hades that made him invisible, and a special bag to put her head into. Perseus arrived on the small and secluded island of Sarpedon where Medusa lived during the night. He used the reflection of his shield to approach her, so he would be able to find his way but not die by looking directly into her eyes. When she awoke she could not see the invader on her island, giving Persues the opportunity to swing his sword and effectively kill her.
This story of Persues and Medusa is a well-known and celebrated story, highlighting the power of Persues, and therefore the power of mankind over monstrous creatures such as Medusa. However, while most people recognize Medusa and her monstrous form, most are unaware of how she became this “wicked” creature. The story of Medusa highlights the overall depiction of women in Ancient Greece throughout both mythology and society. The most well-known version of the story regarding the transformation of Medusa was written by the Roman poet Ovid. Originally, Medusa was a beautiful devot priestess to the goddess Athena. Her beauty caught the attention of Poseidon, the God of the Sea. When he approached, Medusa respectfully declined any sexual engagement as she had vowed a life of celibacy. However, Poseidon, angered by her refusal raped her on the steps of Athena’s Temple. When Athena found out, she blamed Medusa for seducing Poseidon and cursed her for breaking her vow of celibacy, turning her into the gorgon with snakes for hair we know her as today.
Medusa was a victim of rape, yet had been villainized throughout Greek mythology. In societal Ancient Greece, her ugliness was perceived as the consequence of her raping and the fact that she was no longer a virgin. Most Greek mythology stories reflect societal ideals and beliefs of Ancient Greece, specifically ones that uphold patriarchal values. Medusa needed to be killed by a male hero in order to highlight men's power and heroism, while simultaneously putting down a powerful female figure. Her hideousness as a gorgon portrayed her image through the male gaze now that she was no longer “pure”. Being beautiful was an important aspect of Ancient Greece’s patriarchal society for women, and taking away her beauty and turning Medusa into a monster due to the fact that she had been taken advantage of sent heavy messages to the people of the time.