The evil king, meanwhile, is hosting a banquet with all his supporters. Who controls Zeus's fate?To the extent that Zeus does help Perseus, the story also illustrates the benefits that come with honorable behavior.

Like many other kings in the myths, Polydectes fears to kill Perseus outright, as Perseus has been his guest, so instead he sends him on a deadly quest. Like with Jason, the first sign of Perseus’s “hero” status (besides being raised without a father) is that he gladly accepts impossible, dangerous tasks. In her case, it is not beauty but ugliness that causes problems for the observer. Zeus, Hermes, and Athena all help Perseus at critical moments, allowing him to successfully complete his missions.

Although Acrisius took drastic action to change destiny, short of killing his own daughter he can do nothing to prevent his fate. As Perseus deals with the Gray Women, we see the imaginative nature of Greek mythology. Perseus and his mother, Danae, live on the island of Seriphus with a fisherman named Diktys. Now, rejections don’t suit a king’s reputation too well, so condemned to hold the heavens on his shoulders. The story of young Perseus and his quest to defeat the Gorgon monster Medusa bears several themes common among Greek mythology. He overcomes all obstacles to defend his family and exact revenge. Moreover, when Perseus actually defeats them, the story underscores the recurring theme of human ingenuity.Perseus, of course, stands as a premiere example of Greek heroism. Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer. One day, Perseus competes in a discus-throwing contest.

Perseus is most famous for his expedition against the Gorgons, during which he slew the only mortal of the three, Medusa, taking with him her severed head – capable of turning anyone into stone – and using it as a powerful weapon. Either because he didn’t want to grant him hospitality or because he wanted to head “and all who beheld it were turned to stone, each in the attitude which he happened to have struck. He puts the head in his wallet and flies, invisible, back toward his mother. As he fights for his mother's respect and hopes for his estranged father's love, he values family and loyalty above all else.Medusa, by contrast, is one of the most famous mythical beings. Arcisius does not expect, however, that Zeus will … Both women were interrupted in their normal progression of womanhood bounded by the bonds of family. Perseus, of course, contributes to his own success as well.Hospitality again proves to be beloved by the gods: Dictys, the fisherman, becomes king.
Perseus barges in and holds up the head of Medusa.

Apollo tells him not only that Acrisius will never have a son, but also that the son of his daughter will kill him.
As in the Creation of Earth, the reader must wonder who is in charge. Kissel, Adam ed.

"Mythology Perseus Summary and Analysis". How It (Supposedly) Went Down. Perseus finds the Gray Women and steals the eyeball, holding it hostage in exchange for the location of the Nymphs of the North. Diktys' brother, Polydectes, is the king of island, and he totally has a thing for Danae. Persephone is trapped in a marriage with...The King, Dionysius, proclaimed Damon a traitor, has him seized, and condemns him to death.The Mythology study guide contains a biography of Edith Hamilton, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis of the major Greek myths and Western mythology.Copyright © 1999 - 2020 GradeSaver LLC.

Unable to look away in time, all the men turn to stone. In this way, the story highlights that great people can have humble beginnings. King Acrisius of Argos has a stunningly beautiful daughter but wants a son, so he prays to the gods. Hermes helps Perseus travel there, where he finds a land of happy people, always banqueting and celebrating. She is so terrible that one direct look at her turns a person to stone. Perseus: GreekMythology.com - Aug 14, 2020Possibly guided by the gods, the chest eventually arrived safely to the island of Seriphos, which was ruled by the relatively just king He tried wooing her and eventually even asked her hand in marriage, but the timid princess repeatedly spurned his advances. Perseus finds his mother, makes Dictys king, and marries Andromeda.

On the way, he passes a beautiful woman chained to a rock, When he returns to the island, he discovers that Danae and Dictys have gone into hiding because Danae will not marry Polydectes.

They hope that his heart has warmed since he put them in a box out to sea, but when they reach Argos they realize that he fled the land. Lesson Summary. The only way to fully prevent this prophecy would be to kill his daughter, Danae, but Acrisius fears what the gods would do to him. Instead, he imprisons Danae in a bronze house without a roof and guards her carefully.

Medusa is a direct contrast to the many beautiful characters (In this story, as in other tales of heroes, the Greek myths become adventure tales with unforgettable drama, high stakes, and imaginative characters.

One day, the Oracle at Delphi tells King Acrisius of Argos that the future son of his daughter, Danaë, will kill him. Summary: Chapter I — Perseus. They give him his three gifts: winged sandals, a magic wallet that changes to the size of whatever its contents, and, most important of all, a magic cap that will turn whoever wears it invisible.With Hermes and Athena at his side, Perseus finds and kills Medusa. GradeSaver, 28 May 2008 Web. Such adventures and quests make eachstory live on throughout time as astounding literature that captures our imagination.I'm thinking of Persephone felt trapped like Antigone. Perseus is too strong to be kept down and on an island, so it is fitting that his fate is to go on adventures and quests and to be helped by gods. Both women are products of an incestuous marriage.