Difference between revisions of "Medusa"

[[Image:Medusa.gif|thumb]]

'''Medusa''' in [[Greek mythology]] was one of the [[Gorgon]]s. Legend said she was the fairest of the beautiful [[Gorgon sisters]]- yet also the [[vain]]est.  By means of deflating Medusa's [[ego]], the [[goddess]] [[Athena]] changed the belle's gorgeous golden tresses into a mass of lethal [[snake]]s.  Nevertheless, Medusa still continued to spend hours in front of the mirror, even though suitors shied away, because she was possessing of many more attractive qualities as well.  Outraged at Medusa's [[narcissism]], Athena decided to punish all of the Gorgon sisters.  She exiled them to a deserted, isolated island.  Then she put an additional curse on them: if a mortal ever looked at them straight in the eyes, s/he would turn to stone.  Over the years spent alone in their new domain, they eventually [[[evolve]]d into [[monster]]s: long, yellow [[fang]]s, clammy skin, and monstrous size.  After many brave heroes had been reduced to statues by her lethal glare, Medusa was eventually slain by [[Perseus]], who avoided looking at her eyes by instead observing her through her reflection in Athena's shiny [[shield]].  He succeeded in beheading the monster, and, when she died, [[Pegasus]], the winged horse, flew out of her neck.