The myth of perseus and medusa is one of the best thrillerlike tales in greek mythology with a promising plot that gets more complicated as the story progresses, this myth has a typical hollywoodlike scenario with the main character not being born yet at the moment when his destiny was determined. Her story has been told and retold by ancient and modern storytellers, writers, and artists. Perseus manages to kill medusa by not looking directly at her but using the. As medusas head flies from her body, pegasus, the winged horse, and chysaor, a giant with a golden sword, jump out of her neck.
Perseus kept medusas unsightly head in bag and used it against his other. Perseus is told he can attend the wedding if he can bring a wedding present, but having no money of his own he volunteers to bring polydectes the head of the gorgon, medusa, who can turn men into stone if they look at her, instead. This resource was created for beginner to intermediate esl students to practice reading and responding to a fictional text. The story of perseus and medusa does not exist outside of the specific instances in. At a very early stage the legend of andromeda was added to the story of per. The sculpture stands on a square base which has bronze relief panels depicting the story of perseus and andromeda, similar to a predella on an altarpiece. Mythic warriors guardians of the legend perseus the search for medusa. This is a great way for students in grades 4 6 to practice their skills of poetry and mythology reading and comprehension.
The story of perseus long ago, king acrisius of argos learned from an oracle that he would one day be killed by his grandson. Perseus was born to the god, zeus, and mortal woman, danae, making him a demigod with great strength and intelligent ingenuity. Perseus is one of the greatest heroes of greek mythology. Perseus and medusa athena minerva hades pluto the king explained to perseus that there were three sisters, called gorgons, living somewhere far away in the west in the land of darkness. Olympus in the form of a stream of gold, which poured through the roof of the chamber, and soon danae had a baby named perseus. With this qr code, students can access an online poem for the mythology story of perseus and medusa. Perseus, one of the most famous of the legendary heroes of ancient times, was the. Polydectes, the king of seriphus, wishes to marry danae, and plots to get rid of perseus because he may object.
The story begins when king polydectus sends perseus on a dangerous quest even though his mum didnt want him to go. So when danae gave birth to a boy, akrisios urged by his fear, put danae and the newborn boy in a crate and threw them in the sea. But not aware of this, her father bade her brother cadmus search through all the world, until he found his sister, and proclaimed him doomed to exile if he found her not. Slay the monster medusa and bring me her head, he said. When autoplay is enabled, a suggested video will automatically play next. This story is about perseus, who became king of seriphos. The myth of perseus and medusa supposedly went down like this. The three gorgons, of whom only medusa was mortal, were of terrifying aspect, and those who looked upon their faces were turned to stone. Polydectes had taken perseuss mother and told perseus the only w. Perseus plops medusas head in the kibisis and starts make his getaway. Perseus and the legends of argos 549 gorgon and came bearing the head with hair of writhing snakes, for the islanders a stony death. The adventures of perseus 2 story of the play in pageant, verse and fearsome argument the gods on olympus present themselves.
The gorgons of ancient greek myth were three monsters, the sisters stheno, eurayle and. Perseus and medusa when you left perseus, he had just struck a bargain with andromedas parents king cepheus and queen cassiopeia, but now he has to battle the sea monster. There is, continued perseus of the house of agenor, there is a spot beneath cold atlas, where in. Perseus, in greek mythology, the slayer of the gorgon medusa and the rescuer of andromeda from a sea monster. Perseus and medusa volume 1 by russ daff books to read online. A ccss aligned, greek mythology short story and corresponding activities about the hero perseus, who slayed the monster medusa. As you read this myth, look for examples of perseuss bravery. Perseus was the son of zeus and danae, the daughter of acrisius of argos. Perseus and medusa perseus has to find the gorgon medusa, kill her and bring her head back to the king. King polydectes tricks perseus into promising to bring back the head of medusa, one of the dreaded gorgons. One of my favorites is the medusa story, sometimes referred to as perseus and the gorgon medusa. The myth of perseus and medusa, according to pindar and apollodorus, started with a quest. The story and myth of perseus and the medusa features pictures from mythology and legend.
Perseus study mod pdf arts for learning connecticut. Perseus, one of the most famous of the legendary heroes of ancient times, was the son of zeus and danae, daughter of acrisius, king of argos. Now this was not your run of the mill wedding present king polydectes requested the head of medusa, the mortal one of the three gorgons. She lay by herself, arms outstretched, face upwards, more beautiful and terrible than living man may bear. The story of medusa and the greek goddess athena a myth submitted to the site by shainuja many years ago there was a beautiful women called medusa.
The story and myth of perseus features pictures from mythology and legend. Edith hamilton students who enjoy reading greek and roman mythology as part of their english. Medusa was strong and he turned anyone who looked at her eyes into stone. It is located in the loggia dei lanzi in the piazza della signoria in florence, italy. Perseus was the son of danae and zeus, who came to danae in the form of a golden spring. Perseus hid the medusas head in his leather bag and strode into the great hall. He is best known as the slayer of the gorgon medusa, a fearsome monster, and as the rescuer of the.
The story begins on the island of seriphus, the home of perseus and his mother, danae. Text only version of perseus and medusa myths and legends e2bn. Edith hamilton students who enjoy reading greek and. The story of how medusa was killed by perseus is one of the most thrilling stories in greek mythology. Medusa, as though even in sleep she were troubled by an evil dream. Greek mythology heros journey of perseus storyboard. The story of perseus and andromeda derives from greek mythology and contains very deep wisdom on the interactions of male and female energy. Perseus and medusa photo by nightowl on pixabay, perseus and medusa. Surrounded by spears, swords and shields, perseus stood quite still. The greek myth of perseus and medusa tells the story of how perseus used the gifts of the gods and his own courage to kill the monster medusa, rescue andromeda, and save his mother from an. The adventures of perseus the national gallery, london.
Perseus, the maiden medusa, and the imagery of abduction ascsa. Perseus with the head of medusa is a bronze sculpture made by benvenuto cellini in the period 15451554. The goddess was outraged, and changed medusa into a monster with snakes for hair. Perseus stood by the sea, staring out at the waves and wondering how he could ever find and capture the medusas head. The death of medusa edward burnejones 18331898 pdart100.
The latin poet ovid writes in book iv of his metamorphoses that poseidon had raped medusa in the temple of athena. Medusa was one of three horrible gorgon sisters, so gruesome that all living creatures turned to stone at the sight of them. The story above is the pdf version of the myth recorded on the website. In the dim, cold, far west, she said, there lived three sisters. The graphic novel details his assistance from the nymphs and hermes, perseus trickery with the gray witches to gain medusas address, and his ultimate fight with medusa. One of them, medusa, had been one of her priestesses, goldenhaired and most. It was foretold to danaes father, acrisius the king of. Adapted from the myths and legends of ancient greece and rome by e. Pdf perseus and medusa ebooks includes pdf, epub and.
There are myths from every culture in the world, but the bestknown ones are from ancient greece, rome or from the norse people of northern europe. However, her hair of coiling serpents was so terrible the sight of it turned men to stone. Medusa simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Fearing that, he hid his daughter danae in a chamber underground. The story of perseus and medusa began in ancient greece. As soon as perseus was inside the room, phineas called to his men. We cannot guarantee that perseus and medusa book is in the library, but if you are still not sure with the service, you can choose free trial service.
The story of perseus and medusa does not exist outside of the specific instances in which is it represented. If anyone looked in a gorgons eyes they turned to stone. Perseus return journey to seriphos was a long one, and stopping off in aethiopia perseus discovered that andromeda was to be sacrificed to a sea. One day the oracle of delphi told akrisios that he will be killed by his grandchild. Myths usually have heroes or heroines who are gods or people with. Athena instructs perseus to go to the graiae, 3 foreverold women who share one eye and one tooth. The tale of perseus and medusa free stories online. Displaying all worksheets related to the story of medusa and athena. Unhappily, she eventually came to the notice of the king. Straightway one of the dinnercompanions made reply, and asked in turn, now, valiant perseus, pray tell the story of the deed, that all may know, and what the arts and power prevailed, when you struck off the serpentcovered head.
As an educator and counselor, i often use tales from classic greek mythology as a way of relating common themes that speak to the human condition. No man who had ever set out to kill medusa had come back, and the king was sure that now he was forever rid of perseus. The story of medusa in greek mythology continued briefly after her decapitation. Perseus did all he could to guard his mother against the kings unwanted attentions. He would become one of the great heroes in greek mythology because of his ability to behead the monster, medusa. He beheaded the gorgon medusa for polydectes and saved andromeda from the sea monster cetus. During that time, perseus grew into a strong, handsome youth who was very protective of his lovely mother. Play perseus and medusa story home story text your work origins glossary. His family line was descended from zeus and he wanted a son to carry on the family line.
Mythic warriors guardians of the legend perseus the search. Cadmus and the dragonthe house of cadmus now jupiter had not revealed himself, nor laid aside the semblance of a bull, until they stood upon the plains of crete. The king of argos, akrisios had a beautiful daughter called danae. Theres a good explanation, but thats another story. Worksheets are perseus and the medusa, grade 6 module 1 unit 2 lesson 12 determining theme, mythology act ivi t y, presents rif day monster readers, work 1 medusa, perseus and the gorgon, learning support work that require knowledge of the, grade 6 unit 2 overview. All the crimes and madness of the world rushed into perseus mind as he gazed at.
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