Medusa
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Medusa |
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species: Nymph, demigod, monster |
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from |
 Caravaggio's "Medusa", one of the most famous depictions of Medusa |
| Encyclopedia of Female Characters |
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| Issues in characterization: Identities, representation, stereotypes |
| Indexes of female characters: notable female characters ... |
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Medusa is primarily known as a female character in Greek mythology. She had a nest of serpents for hair, and gazing on her directly could turn men into stone. She is imagined as both monstrous and beautiful, depending on the artist, time, and primary source material.
Names
Greek: Μέδουσα, Médousa, "guardian, protectress" The verb medein "to protect, rule over", has given the name of another dangerous protectress, Medea.
Her story
In some versions of the myth, Medusa is one of three sisters, the Gorgons, all of whom had hair of snakes.
In Ovid's version, Medusa was originally a beautiful nymph. After she was raped by Poseidon, she transformed her hair into serpents and made herself so terrible to behold that the mere sight of her face would turn a man to stone.
In all the myths, she was beheaded by Perseus, using a mirrored shield to aim his sword. From her body sprang the winged horse, Pegasus, and a giant Chrysaor. Her spilled blood is said to have formed the corals of the Red Sea, or various poisonous snakes. Perseus used Medusa's severed head to turn everyone to stone at his mother's wedding, freeing her from a forced marriage.
Artistic depictions
- Benvenuto Cellini, "Perseus with the Head of Medusa"
- Caravaggio, "Medusa"
Caravaggio's "Medusa", one of the most famous depictions of Medusa
- "Stone Cold", Blood Ties (TV series) s.1 e.9 (2007)
Further reading
- Carene's Journal with numerous Medusa LiveJournal icons
- Wikipedia "Gorgons and Medusa in Popular Culture"
See also
- Medusa, the Marvel character