Medusa's Curse: Mythological Origin (Ovid's Version)
In Ovid's Metamorphoses (most influential version):
- Medusa was a beautiful priestess of Athena.
- Poseidon raped/seduced her in Athena's temple.
- Athena, enraged by temple desecration, punished Medusa (not Poseidon): transformed hair to snakes, gaze petrifies.
- Later, Perseus beheads her using mirrored shield; Pegasus and Chrysaor spring from neck.
Interpretations
- Victim-blaming: goddess punishes victim of divine assault.
- Patriarchal narrative: female power (gaze) must be destroyed.
- Apotropaic: Gorgon image wards off evil.
Earlier myths (Hesiod) depict Gorgons as born monstrous; Ovid's version humanizes Medusa.
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