Term 2 - Lec 9 (Perseus) Flashcards

1
Q

What kind of hero is Perseus?

How is this different from other heroes?

A

Rare, Integrated Hero
- very integrated in his relationships with divine and domestic

Different because..

  • mutually supportive relationships with women
  • quests on behalf of or with help of women
  • doesn’t go to Underworld
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2
Q

Genealogy

A

Io + Zeus –> Epaphus (Egypt)

return to Greece after many generations

Acrisius, King of Argos –> Danae

Danae + Zeus –> Perseus

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3
Q

Perseus’ unusual birth

A
  • Acrisius receives prophecy that Danae’s son will overthrow him
  • locks Danae in bronze tower
  • Zeus impregnates her via rain shower
  • Danae gives birth in tower
  • Acrisius hears baby crying, sets them both to sea in a chest (intention that they will die)
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4
Q

How are they rescued?

A
  • chest lands on Seriphos island
  • rescued by fisherman Dictys
  • Perseus grows and comes of age there
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5
Q

What is the threat that Perseus/Danae face?

A
  • Danae pursued by evil King Polydectes (receiver of many - associated with death)
  • Perseus offers him anything else he wants
  • Polydectes requests the head of Gorgon Medusa
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6
Q

Describe Perseus’ Quest

A
  • Athena helps with advice/wisdom needed and gives him shield
  • tells him to get advice of Graiae (hags; sisters of the Gorgon)
  • Graiae share one eye and one tooth
  • Perseus tricks them into directing him to the nymphs
  • nymphs give him 3 talismans to help him
  • Hermes gives him Adamantine sword
  • Perseus puts on invisibility cap, looks at Medusa’s reflection using his sword, beheads her with his sword, puts her head in his pounch
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7
Q

What are the 3 talismans given to him by the Nymphs

A
  1. cap of invisibility (belongs to Hades)
  2. winged sandals (belongs to Hermes)
  3. pouch
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8
Q

What happens as Perseus beheads Medusa?

A
  • little winged horse comes out of her (Pegasus)

- fathered by Poesidon (who’s associated with birth of unnatural creatures)

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9
Q

How does Perseus get married?

A
  • Cassiopeia + Cepheus (Ethiopia) –> daughter named Andromeda
  • Cassiopeia brags that Andromeda is more beautiful than sea nymphs
  • her hubris angers Poseidon, who floods the land and demands sacrifice of Andromeda
  • Andromeda dressed as bride (bride of death, but later becomes actual bride), chained to a cliff, awaits a sea-monster
  • Perseus on the way back from quest, sees her and kills monster using Medusa’s head
  • he then claims her hand in marriage
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10
Q

How does Perseus return home and vanquish the threat

A
  • goes back to Seriphos and turns Polydectes + his court into stone
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11
Q

What does Perseus do with the head of Medusa?

A
  • gives it to Athena who puts in on her shield or aegis (cape)
  • why you can see her aegis covered in snakes

–> transfer of horrifying qualities of savage female supernatural creature to Athena (represents civilization)

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12
Q

What happens to the prophecy given originally to Acrisius?

A
  • Perseus returns to Argos and accidentally kills Acrisius with a discus
  • therefore prophecy comes true even though not on purpose
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13
Q

What is the end to Perseus? What part of this is unusual?

A
  • becomes King of Tiryns and Mycenae
  • happily ever after with Andromeda (UNUSUAL)
  • death = old age
  • both are catasterized (immortalization) after death
  • -> therefore he gets full divine status without having to face animosity from the gods like other heroes
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14
Q

What are the 5 elements of ‘The Girl’s Tragedy’ story pattern?
How does Danae fit into it?
Where can you see this pattern in modern stories?

A
PROHIBITION
- from marrying
SECLUSION
- locked in a tower
VIOLATION OF PROHIBITION
- Zeus' rain shower
- conception of Perseus
THREAT OF PUNISHMENT/DEATH
- set to sea in chest
LIBERATION
- by Dictys on Seriphos

–> seen in Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel

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