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Questions and Answers
What was the reason King Acrisius imprisoned his daughter Danae?
What was the reason King Acrisius imprisoned his daughter Danae?
How did Zeus approach Danae in her prison?
How did Zeus approach Danae in her prison?
What action did Acrisius take after discovering Danae's child?
What action did Acrisius take after discovering Danae's child?
Who found Danae and Perseus after they were set adrift?
Who found Danae and Perseus after they were set adrift?
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What was King Polydectes' intention toward Danae?
What was King Polydectes' intention toward Danae?
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What was one characteristic of Perseus as he grew older?
What was one characteristic of Perseus as he grew older?
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What did Acrisius believe would happen if he sent Danae and Perseus to the sea?
What did Acrisius believe would happen if he sent Danae and Perseus to the sea?
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How did Danae react to King Polydectes' advances?
How did Danae react to King Polydectes' advances?
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What challenge did Perseus accept from Polydectes?
What challenge did Perseus accept from Polydectes?
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Which goddess provided Perseus with a shield?
Which goddess provided Perseus with a shield?
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What was Perseus advised to do to avoid looking at Medusa directly?
What was Perseus advised to do to avoid looking at Medusa directly?
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How did Perseus travel to the land of the Gorgons?
How did Perseus travel to the land of the Gorgons?
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What happened to Medusa's blood after she was slain?
What happened to Medusa's blood after she was slain?
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What stopped Perseus from gazing directly at Medusa?
What stopped Perseus from gazing directly at Medusa?
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Who pursued Perseus after he beheaded Medusa?
Who pursued Perseus after he beheaded Medusa?
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What was the initial reaction of Polydectes and the others when Perseus claimed he would get the head of Medusa?
What was the initial reaction of Polydectes and the others when Perseus claimed he would get the head of Medusa?
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What emotional state did Medusa express while patrolling her cave?
What emotional state did Medusa express while patrolling her cave?
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What was the appearance of the shield given to Perseus by Athena?
What was the appearance of the shield given to Perseus by Athena?
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What did Perseus compare Medusa's beauty and corruption to?
What did Perseus compare Medusa's beauty and corruption to?
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What was the nature of the beast that terrorized Perseus' future bride's homeland?
What was the nature of the beast that terrorized Perseus' future bride's homeland?
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How did Athena appear to Perseus during his prayer?
How did Athena appear to Perseus during his prayer?
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What emotion did Perseus feel when he saw Medusa’s reflection before attacking?
What emotion did Perseus feel when he saw Medusa’s reflection before attacking?
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What did the oracle reveal to the king regarding Andromeda?
What did the oracle reveal to the king regarding Andromeda?
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How did Perseus defeat the ocean monster?
How did Perseus defeat the ocean monster?
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What was the reaction of Andromeda's parents after her rescue?
What was the reaction of Andromeda's parents after her rescue?
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What did Pallas Athena claim from Perseus in his dream?
What did Pallas Athena claim from Perseus in his dream?
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What fate befell Polydectes and his friends when Perseus revealed the Gorgon's head?
What fate befell Polydectes and his friends when Perseus revealed the Gorgon's head?
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What was Perseus' intention when he returned to Argos?
What was Perseus' intention when he returned to Argos?
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What event did Perseus participate in at Larissa?
What event did Perseus participate in at Larissa?
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How did Acrisius react to Perseus' discus throw?
How did Acrisius react to Perseus' discus throw?
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What tragic outcome resulted from Perseus' discus throw?
What tragic outcome resulted from Perseus' discus throw?
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What became of Acrisius after Perseus arrived in Argos?
What became of Acrisius after Perseus arrived in Argos?
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What blessings did Perseus receive from the gods?
What blessings did Perseus receive from the gods?
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Where did Perseus and Andromeda sail after their marriage?
Where did Perseus and Andromeda sail after their marriage?
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What legacy did Perseus leave behind after his reign?
What legacy did Perseus leave behind after his reign?
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Study Notes
The Myth of Perseus
- Acrisius's Oracle: Acrisius, King of Argos, consults an oracle, foreseeing his death at the hands of his daughter Danae's son.
- Danae's Imprisonment: To avoid the prophecy, Acrisius imprisons his daughter Danae in a tower of brass.
- Zeus and Danae: Zeus, disguised as golden light, enters the tower and Danae becomes pregnant with Perseus.
- Perseus's Exposure: Acrisius abandons Danae and Perseus in a chest at sea, believing Poseidon would be responsible for their death at sea.
- Arrival at Seriphos: The chest washes ashore on Seriphos, where Danae and Perseus are rescued. Polydectes, the king, takes them in.
- Perseus's Maturity: Perseus grows into a strong and courageous young man.
- Polydectes's Desire: Polydectes, the king, desires Danae and is thwarted by her son.
Perseus and the Quest for Medusa's Head
- The Empty-Handed Gift: To gain the favor to marry a girl, Perseus claims he will gift Polydectes with Medusa's head.
- Athena's Aid: Athena, along with Hermes, assists Perseus by providing him with a polished shield, winged sandals, and a magic sword.
- Guidance for the Quest: Athena guides Perseus on how to defeat Medusa, instructing him to not look at Medusa directly but at her reflection in the shield.
- Hermes's Gifted Sandals Zeus grants Perseus winged sandals to travel the oceans swiftly.
- The Gorgons' Cave: Perseus travels to the land of the Gorgons' cave, battling and beheading Medusa.
- Medusa's Death and the Gorgon Sisters' Pursuit: Perseus beheads Medusa, and her severed head becomes a monstrous weapon. The other Gorgons pursue him.
- Creation of Desert Vipers: Blood from Medusa's head creates the vipers of the desert.
- Rescue of Andromeda: Perseus rescues Andromeda, a princess chained to a rock, from a sea monster. Perseus ultimately slays the monster.
- Perseus's Wedded Bliss: Perseus marries Andromeda.
The Aftermath and Conclusion
- Athena's Demands: Athena demands the magical gifts return by the gods.
- Perseus's Return to Seriphos: Perseus returns to Seriphos.
- Polydectes's Punishment: Perseus confronts Polydectes, turning him and his companions into stone.
- Return to Argos: Perseus returns with Danae to her homeland of Argos.
- Acrisius's Death: Perseus unintentionally kills his grandfather (Acrisius) at a sporting festival.
- Perseus's Kingship: Perseus becomes king of Argos, and later ascends to the heavens.
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Description
Explore the captivating myth of Perseus, from his origins as the son of Danae and Zeus to his dangerous quest for Medusa's head. This quiz covers key events such as Acrisius's prophecy, Danae's imprisonment, and Perseus's triumphs. Test your knowledge of Greek mythology and the enduring legacy of Perseus.
