Questions and Answers
What prompted King Acrisius to lock his daughter Danae in a chamber?
Which character revealed to Perseus that he should not look into the Gorgon's eyes?
How did Danae and her child, Perseus, end up in the care of Dictys?
What item did Hermes give to Perseus to aid him in his quest against Medusa?
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What did Perseus have to do to the gray women to obtain armor?
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What did Perseus use to identify Medusa among the Gorgons?
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What was the initial condition for Andromeda's release from her chains?
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What was the fate of the 200 men who attacked Perseus?
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Who intervened in the conflict between Perseus and Andromeda’s uncle, Phineas?
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What significant item did Perseus place Medusa's head into?
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Study Notes
King Acrisius and the Oracle
- King Acrisius of Argos received an oracle predicting he would not have sons and would die by the hand of his grandson.
- To avoid this fate, he locked his daughter, Danae, in a chamber but did not account for divine intervention.
Birth of Perseus
- Zeus, disguised as golden rain, impregnated Danae, leading to the birth of Perseus.
- Acrisius discovered the child's existence and, fearing the prophecy, cast both Danae and Perseus into a chest and set it adrift.
Escape and Upbringing
- The chest washed ashore on the island of Seraphos, discovered by Dictys, a kind fisherman who raised Perseus as his own.
- Danae later married Dictys’s brother, Polydectes, who grew resentful of Perseus due to Danae's affection for him.
Quest for Medusa
- Polydectes, seeking to eliminate Perseus, sent him on a quest to slay Medusa, believing it would bring him fame.
- Perseus set out, unaware of the dangers posed by Medusa, one of the three immortal Gorgons.
Divine Assistance
- On his journey, Perseus encountered Hermes, who provided guidance and magical items.
- He was instructed to obtain weapons from the gray women by snatching their eye, forcing them to assist him.
The Gorgons and the Decapitation of Medusa
- Perseus received a curved sword, a bright shield from Athene, and armor from the Nymphs of the North.
- By using his shield to view Medusa’s reflection, he successfully decapitated her without being turned to stone.
Encounter with Andromeda
- Perseus discovered Andromeda, chained as a sacrifice to appease Poseidon due to her mother's vanity.
- After freeing and marrying Andromeda, Perseus fought and defeated the monster threatening her.
Conflict with Phineas
- Phineas, Andromeda’s uncle, attempted to challenge Perseus during their wedding feast.
- Perseus used Medusa’s head against Phineas and his supporters, turning them to stone.
Return and Fate of Acrisius
- Perseus returned to Seraphos only to confront Polydectes, whom he turned to stone to prove his victory over Medusa.
- Acrisius, fleeing from his oracle's prophecy, was ultimately killed by Perseus when his discus accidentally struck him during games in Larissa.
Perseus's Legacy
- After his death, Perseus was immortalized as a constellation, followed by Andromeda and her mother, Cassiopeia.
- The head of Medusa was gifted to Athene, who kept it as a powerful weapon.
Key Figures and Relationships
- Acrisius: King of Argos, father of Danae.
- Danae: Daughter of Acrisius, mother of Perseus.
- Perseus: Son of Zeus and Danae, slayer of Medusa.
- Polydectes: Stepfather of Perseus, antagonist.
- Andromeda: Princess saved by Perseus, later his wife.
- Hermes and Athene: Deities aiding Perseus in his quest.
Important Weapons
- Winged sandals: Enabled swift travel and escape.
- Curved sword: Essential for decapitating Medusa.
- Shield: Allowed Perseus to view Medusa without being turned to stone.
- Magical wallet: Used to securely carry Medusa's head.
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Description
Explore the tragic tale of King Acrisius of Argos, who tried to escape his fate by imprisoning his daughter, Danae. This myth highlights themes of prophecy, divine intervention, and the inescapability of fate. Test your knowledge of this captivating story and its characters.
