Transcript click here
Greek Mythology: Perseus Part I Middle School ONCE UPON A TIME… King of Argos is warned by an oracle: he would be killed by his grandson *locks up Danae in a tower *Zeus gets in (gold) PERSEUS is born Upon birth, the king places his daughter and son out in the sea *expected them to die * They end up on island of Seriphos *is taken in by a kind fisherman Danae and Perseus out in the sea… Fisherman • Fisherman adopts a protective attitude towards Danae and Perseus • Male role model • Fisherman’s brother (King) wanted to be with mother Perseus says NO! King backs off… Danae and baby Perseus are taken in by a kind fisherman. The King Plays It Cool * King has engagement party (another woman) will allegedly seek the hand another maiden *asks for contribution Turns to Perseus …asks him for his share *says will do anything he can…. *orders him obtain head of Medusa Medusa The Quest to Obtain the Gorgon • Perseus sets off to obtain Medusa • Turns to Athena (had it in for Medusa) • Tells him to obtain special equipment *Athena gives him mirrored shield The three old ladies “the grey ones” advise Perseus *tell him to obtain equipment from nymphs *tell him where to go They shared one eye Finds them in Hades *swimming in the River Styx The gear: *magical helmet *winged sandals (protection from sisters) *special pouch (Medusa’s power remains after death) *sickle The Gaze *goes to Medusa’s dwelling place …finds the Gorgon sleeping *filled with remains of previous visitors *cuts off Medusa’s head *Pegasus (offspring of Medusa and Poseidon) born from bleeding neck *escapes quickly *Perseus starts flying back *Once he was over Ethiopia, he saw something: A beautiful maiden chained to a rock *she is about to be devoured by sea monster End of Part I