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Prof. Geller. "Medusa." Mythology.net. 29 September 2018. https://mythology.net/monsters/medusa/
Richard Skye Hale. "Medusa Tattoos, Designs, and Meanings" Tatring.com  15 February 2019

https://tatring.com/tattoo-ideas-meanings/Medusa-Tattoos-And-Designs-Medusa-Tattoo-Meanings-And-Ideas-Mudusa-Tattoo-Pictures

Madeleine Glennonu, “Medusa in Ancient Greek Art.” MetMuseum.org. March 2017. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/medu/hd_medu.htm

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Medusa’s power is the ability to turn anyone who looks at her direction to stone with her head full of snakes, replacing her hair.

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The Story Of Medusa - Greek Mythology Explained

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Medusa “represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil” (Glennon, 2017). Medusa’s head full of snakes  “are said to represent the natural cycle of life, symbolizing rebirth and death” (Hale, 2019).

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Medusa was a mortal born on the island of Sarpedon to two gods, Phorcys and Ceto. She was a beautiful maiden and devoted her life as a priestess to the temple of Athena. Because she was beautiful and serving Athena, Medusa caught the eye of Poseidon, Athena’s rival. Poseidon pursued Medusa because he wanted to spite Athena and claim superiority over her. Medusa, however, continued to devote her life to Athena. Because of her devotion Medusa chose to not leave the temple of Athena and remain a priestess. Poseidon then decides to violate Medusa, impregnating her. She was left distraught and turned to Athena, "Athena is enraged that her temple has been desecrated – especially because it had been defiled by her rival, Poseidon. She doesn’t have any sympathy towards Medusa...and decides to punish her by transforming her into a monster that will be undesirable." (Geller 2018). Because of this, a hopeless Medusa is cursed and alone forever.

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What important myths are related to Medusa?

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What important myths are related to Medusa?

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After Medusa is transformed into a monster as a punishment by Athena, she has difficulties accepting her identity. “begins to take her vengeance on men as this is one of the only ways that she can attempt to get even with Poseidon.” (Glennon 2017) As time passes, many men travel to her island in hopes to behead her. In one mission, Perseus is told to bring back Medusa’s head. He is gifted items by the Gods and Goddesses to help him throughout his journey. He arrives to see Medusa sleeping. He wakes her up and uses the mirror shield given by Athena to behead and turn her to stone.