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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.
What did the original Medusa 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.
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.
What does Medusa symbolize spiritually?
Medusa could have been a very prototypical goddess of a matriarchal society. Her hair of snakes and reptilian skin are symbolic of the natural cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Snakes are used due to their shedding of skin, and their rebirth to a new skin.
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.
What happens if Medusa looks in the mirror?
It was looking directly into Medusa’s eyes that would turn a mortal to stone, not the whole of her face. Using the shield as a mirror meant that even if Medusa’s gaze fell upon Perseus, it would be at an angle.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Why was Medusa so angry?
Athena looked down in anger and cursed Medusa for betraying her. Medusa was sent to a faraway island and was cursed so that no man would want her. She was scared of her powers and angry at the gods for cursing her. She took her revenge on the men that were sent to kill her.
Why was Medusa hair turned into snakes?
In later myths (mainly in Ovid) Medusa was the only Gorgon to possess snake locks, because they were a punishment from Athena. Accordingly, Ovid relates that the once beautiful mortal was punished by Athena with a hideous appearance and loathsome snakes for hair for having been raped in Athena’s temple by Poseidon.
