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    Medusa. Texto Aula Giovana Ruiva 12.11

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    Martha Gattarosa

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Medusa. Texto Aula Giovana Ruiva 12.11

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    Martha Gattarosa
    8 views2 pages

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    8 views2 pages

    Medusa. Texto Aula Giovana Ruiva 12.11

    Uploaded by

    Martha Gattarosa

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Medusa's tale is one of beauty turned to horror.

    Originally, she was a beautiful maiden


    with enviable locks. However, her life took a tragic turn following an encounter with
    Poseidon in Athena's temple. This event marked the beginning of her curse and
    transformation into one of Greek mythology's most recognisable and misunderstood
    figures.

    Medusa Before the Curse: A Ravishing Maiden


    Medusa began as a breathtakingly beautiful maiden, whose locks were the envy of all
    who beheld her. Known for her beauty across the land, Medusa's life was filled with
    admiration and attention, setting the stage for the tragic turn her fate would soon
    take.

    The Fateful Encounter: Poseidon in Athena's Temple


    The turning point in Medusa's life came with her encounter with Poseidon, the god of
    the sea, within the sacred confines of Athena’s temple. Attracted by Medusa's beauty,
    Poseidon pursued her. Medusa sought refuge in Athena's temple, hoping for
    protection. However, Poseidon disregarded the temple's sanctity and assaulted
    Medusa within its walls.

    The Curse of Athena: Transformation and Punishment


    Rather than directing her wrath at Poseidon, Athena punished Medusa, one of her
    priestesses who had taken a vow of celibacy. This curse transformed her into a
    creature with serpents for hair and a gaze that turned onlookers to stone. The reasons
    behind Athena's curse are layered, with interpretations ranging from divine
    punishment for desecrating her temple to an act of protection against further harm.
    This transformation marks a shift in Medusa's story from one of admiration to one of
    fear and misunderstanding.

    Isolation and Tragedy


    With the curse, Medusa's life turned to isolation and tragedy. No longer the object of
    admiration but of fear, her existence became a symbol of the complex interplay
    between beauty, power, and victimisation.

    The Arrival of Perseus


    Perseus’s quest to kill Medusa was a mission assigned to him as part of a larger
    narrative of heroism and divine intervention. Tasked with bringing back her head to
    save his mother from a forced marriage, Perseus's journey to Medusa's lair was
    encouraged by gifts from the gods: winged sandals from Hermes, a reflective shield
    from Athena, a sword from Hephaestus, and Hades's invisibility powers.

    The Battle and Medusa’s Demise


    Using the reflective shield to avoid Medusa’s direct gaze, Perseus approached the
    Gorgon while she slept. In a swift, decisive movement, he used the sword to behead
    Medusa, thus ending her life. This act required a strategic approach, exploiting
    Medusa's vulnerability to achieve victory.

    Even in death, Medusa's power did not wane. Her head, now severed from her body,
    retained its petrifying gaze. Perseus used it as a weapon several times before
    ultimately giving it to Athena, who placed it on her shield, the Aegis. This
    transformation of Medusa from a being of terror to a symbol of protection
    underscores the complex nature of her legacy.

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