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How did Medusa look before she was cursed?
Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. She turned Medusa into a hideous hag, making her hair into writhing snakes and her skin was turned a greenish hue. Anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone.
Who did Medusa think she was prettier than?
She was boastful and proud, even claiming she was more beautiful than Athena. One day Poseidon, god of the sea, saw Medusa in the temple and wanted her for his own. When Athena found Medusa in Poseidon’s arms, she cursed her.
What did Medusa’s body look like?
During this time, Medusa is depicted as a monster; she has a round face, wide eyes, a beard, and a gaping mouth with an extended tongue and gnashing, sharp teeth (39.11. 9). Medusa remains a popular image on later architectural components, but her form is more specifically human and female.
What happens if a woman looks at Medusa?
Upon the realization that the myths are nothing more than a facade, women endow themselves with personal power. Cixous explains that if women do this, if they dare to “look at the Medusa straight on,” female explorations will result in the discovery that the Medusa “is not deadly, she’s beautiful and she’s laughing.”.
Who was Medusa in love with?
Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair. When Athena discovered the affair, she was enraged and immediately cursed Medusa by taking away her beauty.
Was Athena protecting Medusa?
Athena is a virgin goddess, one who was the patron of Medusa. When Poseidon raped Medusa, she called out to Athena for both forgiveness and guidance. Thus, transforming Medusa was not an act of rage, rather, it was an act of protection. Athena could not punish Poseidon for what he did to Medusa.
Did Medusa brag about her beauty?
Unfortunately, Medusa was very proud of her beauty and thought or spoke of little else. Each day she boasted of how pretty she was and each day her boasts became more outrageous. On Sunday, Medusa bragged to the miller that her skin was more beautiful than fresh fallen snow.
Was Medusa a victim?
Medusa was raped by Poseidon, but instead of being defended by her patron goddess, Athena, she was punished for being raped. This makes Medusa a victim.
What made Medusa evil?
She was lovely, according to the poem—until she was raped in Athena’s temple by Poseidon. Athena then punished her for this violation, by turning her into the monstrous, stony-glanced creature that we know. Yes: punished for being raped. In classical sources, in fact, she’s not always monstrous.
What did Medusa do wrong?
Medusa. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena’s temple. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy.
Is Medusa still alive?
But there is nothing normal about Medusa. However, unlike Medusa, the unnamed animal was never kept alive in captivity. Medusa is currently housed at “The Edge of Hell Haunted House” in Kansas City.
Can Medusa turn females to stone?
There are no recorded instances of Medusa turning a woman to stone.
What happens when Medusa died?
The severed head, which had the power of turning into stone all who looked upon it, was given to Athena, who placed it in her shield; according to another account, Perseus buried it in the marketplace of Argos.
What is Medusa nickname?
Basic Information Name Medusa Nickname Medousa, Gorgon Medusa, Dussy, Medussssssa Sex Female Current city I refuse to release my current location. Some stupid hero might try to behead me (again).
Who is Poseidon in love with?
Poseidon chose Amphitrite from among her sisters as the Nereids performed a dance on the isle of Naxos. Refusing his offer of marriage, she fled to Atlas, from whom she was retrieved by a dolphin sent by Poseidon. Amphitrite then returned, becoming Poseidon’s wife; he rewarded the dolphin by making it a constellation.
What kind of snakes are in Medusa hair?
If, however, we also take into account that vipers are the only endemic species of venomous snakes in Greece, I think it would be safe to say that the Gorgons’ hair were made of vipers.
Why was Athena jealous of Medusa?
Medusa was the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Because Poseidon took such a liking to Medusa, he charmed her and swayed her off her feet. The two were caught having a love affair in Athena’s temple. Once Athena found out about this affair, her jealousy raged and she became furious!Nov 2, 2017.
Why did Athena punish Medusa and not Poseidon?
Another reason Athena may have punished Medusa is that she could not punish Poseidon. Athena, while a very influential goddess in Greek mythology, is outranked by Poseidon in terms of status. So to get back at him, Athena cursed Medusa so that Poseidon couldn’t seduce him anymore.
Why did Athena punish Medusa instead of Poseidon?
Poseidon was a god, and Athena was a goddess. She was not powerful enough to punish Poseidon. He is a elder god, which makes him second only to Zeus.
Did Athena punish or bless Medusa?
Athena comes and sees that her temple has been defiled. She doesn’t blame her fellow god; she blames the human – Medusa. Medusa’s sisters come to her defense and thus suffer part of the punishment. Athena curses Medusa with a head full of snakes, eternal life, and that any man who looks at her will be turned to stone.
What does a Medusa tattoo mean?
According to The Met Museum, Medusa is portrayed in most Greek art as an “apotropaic symbol used to protect and ward off the negative,” representing a “dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil.”Nov 11, 2021.
Is Medusa a hero or a villain?
Medusa is a villain from Marvel Comics.
