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Stage: The Departure/Separation                Step: The Call to Adventure

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Stage: The Departure/Separation                Step: The Call to Adventure

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This step characterizes the hero, he accepted this challenge because he had nothing else to offer as a gift for Polydectes' marriage. "I have no family wealth to offer you, but I fearlessly offer you my services." [...] "All right then, Perseus, I command you to bring me the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa... if you can." (The Heroes 200) Perseus is commanded by King Polydectes to kill Medusa, this was his call to adventure.

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Stage: The Departure/Separation Step:Meeting the Mentor

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Stage: The Departure/Separation Step:Meeting the Mentor

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This part of Perseus' journey provides information about two immortals who are sent to help Perseus (Athena and Hermes). Athena and Hermes help Perseus by using their attributes. Hermes guiding him and Athena lending her shield.  "...Zeus summoned the two immortals who could help his mortal son...For the Wayfinder, the realm of the gorgons would be a welcome change from the shades...he much preferred guiding live heroes...Her final triumph over  that arrogant girl would be to attach her severed head to her own great shield" (200-201). Hermes and Athena are using what they know best to help Perseus.

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Stage: The Initiation/Transformation        Step: Losing the Guide

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Stage: The Initiation/Transformation        Step: Losing the Guide

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This step is very important because the hero is losing is support and he is losing the people who have guided him through this journey. "Athena and Hermes agreed to meet him on his return to the island of Seriphus after he had presented King Polydectes with the gift." (The Heroes 204) Perseus is now left alone, he must guide himself home. This is the first time he has been alone on this adventure and he runs into trouble almost right away.

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Stage: The Initiation/Transformation Step: Dragon Slaying

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Stage: The Initiation/Transformation Step: Dragon Slaying

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The dragon slaying step is the climax of Perseus' journey which demonstrates one of the darkest parts of his journey. Perseus goes to slay the head of Medusa and doing something like this daunting task he's never done before. "There, with Athena's hand upon his wrist and his own head turned aside to face the image upon his shield, Perseus beheaded the mortal Gorgon with one slice of his sharp sickle" (The Heroes 204). Although Perseus had Athena to guide him this task transforms him tremendously.

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Stage: The Initiation/Transformation        Step: Atonement with the Father

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Stage: The Initiation/Transformation        Step: Atonement with the Father

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This step confirms the heroes victory by having him prove to the enemy that he completed the journey. "When the tale was over, the king laughed mockingly and requested another children's tale." [...] "'If you believe me, shut your eyes, friends,' he announced." [...] "All who met its gaze became marble statues." (The Heroes 207) Perseus proves that he completed his journey, in a morbid way, but the deed is done.

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Stage: Return                  Step: Return with the elixir or Gift or The Ultimate Boon  

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Stage: Return                  Step: Return with the elixir or Gift or The Ultimate Boon  

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This step characterizes the hero's new status and ties up the end of the hero's tale "King Acrisius did hear about the heroic deeds of Perseus...Perseus founded a well-known line of kings..." (The Heros 208). Perseus, after bringing the head of Medusa back and finding Andromeda was seen as a hero and came to be in a line of kings this is representation of a hero's status quo when he completes his journey.