by Samantha Terrazas

Created on: February 26, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

Medusa: The Mistress of the West Gate of Death

Medusa was once a fair maiden with captivating locks; but she had fallen victim to her own stunning beauty. Medusa had once been a priestess in Athena's temple but was sentenced to be a guard at the west gate of death. This was due to unfortunate circumstances between Neptune and herself. The west gate of death would become her new home until her untimely death at the hands of Perseus. Still, in today's society the Myth of Medusa carries much symbolism.

As the story goes, Athena and Medusa were once equal beauties. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was jealous of the idea that Medusa attracted the attention of both men and gods. Neptune was the god who fell in love with Medusa. When he found her alone in Athena's temple he raped her. When Athena found out that her temple had been violated, she was furious. Athena took out her anger on Medusa because she was not strong enough to fight against Neptune (Marks, 2006). Medusa, who was previously gorgeous, was changed into a hideous gorgon. Her locks of hair that had been envied by many were changed into slithering serpents. Medusa's soft skin became rough and scaly. She had once been treasured by men, and now no man could look at her or her ugliness would surely cast them to stone (Brunel, 1996). Medusa was then sentenced to become the "Mistress of the West Gate of Death" at the guard of the Underworld (1998).

In the children's book Medusa, written by Niz in 2005, we learn of Perseus' motive to kill Medusa. Long ago, Zeus, with much desire for Danea, came to her as a stream of gold and had intercourse with her. It was at that time that she became impregnated with Perseus. When King Acrisius learned of Danea's child, he cast both Danea and Perseus out to sea. King Acrisius feared Perseus because of the prophecy that Danea would give to birth to a son who would kill him. The chest that Danea and Perseus were cast to sea in landed on the shore of an island called Seriphus. There, King Polydectes befriended Danea and Perseus. Polydectes fell in love with Danea and wanted to marry her but knew that he could not be with her because of her son Perseus. Polydectes wanted Danea to marry him so much that he held Danea captive. Once Perseus was all grown up and hoping that Perseus would die, Polydectes challenged Perseus to fight the gorgons and bring back the head of Medusa. He was sure that Perseus would die a dreadful death while battling to accomplish the task. Polydectes would

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