CLAS 430 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Acrisius
Document Summary
The legend of perseus: birth and childhood: Acrisius, king of argos, receives a prophecy that his grandson will kill him. Zeus visits her in "shower of gold" and he impregnates her with perseus. Perseus and danae cast into sea in a box by acrisius, rescued by fisherman, brother of local king polydectes: perseus the gorgon-slayer. Polydectes desires danae, sends perseus on quest: "bring me the head of a gorgon" Gorgons: whoever see their eyes is turned into stone. Medusa in art = fearsome monster, snakes as hair: perseus" heroic quest. 3 graeae (one tooth, one eye) direct perseus to nymphs. Nymphs give perseus objects to accomplish his goal: Revenge of perseus: uses medusa"s head to turn polydectes to stone: perseus and andromeda. Punishment of impious mother cassiopeia by poseidon. Andromeda chained to rock as a sacrifice to sea-monster.
