Medusa and Perseus, a myth about salvation through art

The myth of Medusa and Perseus is for many a metaphor for fear and how it is possible to save oneself from it through art.. For others, it represents a feminine myth, in which the violated woman becomes something monstrous. A dangerous image that terrifies and stupefies anyone who contemplates it.

There are several versions of the myth of Medusa and Perseus. However, the most classic tells us that both had a tragic origin. Medusa was one of the three gorgons, all daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. Of three, Medusa was the most beautiful and also the only mortal. She was so great her beauty that aroused admiration among gods and men.

It is said that Poseidon was so captivated that he raped her. on the marble in the time of Athena. That goddess did not tolerate such desecration and so she turned Medusa into a horrible monster, like her sisters. She gave him metal hands and sharp fangs. Medusa’s beautiful hair turned into snakes.

Besides, He gave him eyes from which a terrible light came out. Since then, everyone who looked at her to the face I would be turned into stone. Then, he banished her to the far reaches of the world of the living. Medusa was pregnant. From that moment on, she became one of the most feared monsters.

The origin of Perseus

The myth of Medusa and Perseus tells us that the king of Argos knew from an oracle that his daughter’s son would kill him. To prevent the fulfillment of the prophecy, he locked his daughter Danae in an airtight bronze chamber that he placed in an underground place. However, Zeus was in love her. He fertilized her, turning into a shower of gold that penetrated the chamber.

Later Perseus was born. His crying alerted his grandfather to what had happened. The king then decided to lock Danae and Perseus in a wooden chest and throw it into the sea. The two were rescued In an island. Perseus grew up and became a beautiful young man. There was a suitor who wanted to stay with his mother. So Perseus vowed to kill Medusa as a means to prevent it.

Athena, who already had an old grudge with Medusa, offered to help him. So did Hermes. They guided him to go to the Grayas . These were three prophetic old women, relatives of Medusa, who had only one eye and one tooth.. Perseus took advantage of an oversight and stripped them of their eye and tooth. In exchange for returning them, they had to show him the way to the Nymphs.

The powers of Perseus

The myth says that when the brave young man arrived at the nymphs, they gave him winged sandals so that he could fly through the air. He was also given the helmet of Hades, which was made of dog skin. Whoever carried it would become invisible. Finally, they gave him a saddlebag. Hermes, for her part, gave him a sharp sickle and a shining shield.

Armed in this way, Perseus went to look for the gorgons. On his way he found many stone statues. They were the bodies of those who had come there and looked Medusa in the face. He knew he had to be cautious and that’s why he waited for the right moment.

Once the gorgons fell asleep, Perseus positioned his shining shield so that Medusa’s face was reflected there. He thus avoided looking at her face. Then she took the sickle and with a single cut removed his head. From her body came the horse Pegasus and Chrysaor, a giant. They were the children he was carrying.

Interpretations of the myth of Medusa and Perseus

According to the myth of Medusa and Perseus, Since then the young hero used the head of Medusa to defeat his enemies. Despite everything, such a head did not lose its power. He put it in the saddlebag he was carrying and thanks to it he was able to face monsters and enemies. He only took out Medusa’s skull and, when the others saw it, they turned to stone.

It is said that the myth of Medusa and Perseus is related to art in a symbolic way. In particular, Perseus’s shield represents a way of confronting horror indirectly. That’s what art does: it reflects. It allows us to look at the horror, but at the same time prevent it from paralyzing us with terror.

Likewise, Medusa’s head becomes Perseus’ main weapon. It can be seen symbolically as well. It is with art that we manage to face those demons and internal enemies that lurk. The head of Medusa would be the work, the result, the product of creation.

Nevertheless, Other readings of the myth tell us about a misogynistic society, in which the burden of punishment for sexual activity falls on the woman, even when it is rape, as the story of Medusa tells. This interpretation, unfortunately, remains valid in a society in which the victim of sexual violence is still often punished, while the perpetrator remains unpunished.

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