![]() ![]() As a Gorgon monster, Medusa is terrible and fierce and is much less sympathetic than her alter-ego, once-human-form. The alternate origin story sees Medusa begin life as a Gorgon monster, borne of two sea monsters, and one of three daughters. Soon enough, men came in search of her and eventually, Perseus, the son of Zeus, finds her and cuts off her head while she sleeps. Even though Medusa never wanted to harm anyone, the knowledge that she had the power to do so, meant that she could never live a quiet life. She could not look upon a friend, or even an animal, without killing them, and so she lived a life of solitude. Medusa, however, did not wish to use her powers on mortals and instead retreated to a dark cave. I know because my mother possesses such a stare that not only stops you in your tracks but also takes your breath away. And while over time, the death stare as become less potent and less deadly, it is by no means less scary. ![]() Here we witness the creation of the original ‘death stare’, a weapon that has since been passed onto generations of women. If that isn’t enough, Athena ensures Medusa will forever remain alone by gifting her with a gaze that turns others to stone in an instant. Again, this is reminiscent of later fairy tales, specifically Rapunzel who is punished for sleeping with a prince by having her hair removed.Īthena makes Medusa unappealing to men by turning her hair into writhing snakes. To exact her revenge, Athena takes away Medusa’s most prized feature: her beautiful hair. Perhaps she is the precursor to the jealous older woman so often portrayed in the European fairy tales that were to follow. It has been noted that Athena, who is the goodness of war, rarely supports women. Athena, who is so enraged at her temple being defiled, takes out her revenge on poor Medusa. While praying at the temple of Athena, she catches the eye of the sea god Poseidon, who rapes her (or seduces her, depending on who is telling the story) in the temple. So alluring is her beauty, that she has many suitors. The first origin story sees Medusa originally as a stunning young woman, with beautiful ringlets of hair. There are two origin stories from Greek Mythology, both leading to her well-known grisly end. While we all know of Medusa with her crown of snakes, less is known of how Medusa became Medusa. ![]()
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