1. Medusa’s Head Listening Guide

2. In this myth, what powers does Zeus have? He can see everything in the lives of mortals, he can change into different shapes and materials.

3. What questions occur to you as you read this section of the story? Different Responses

4. What qualities does the young Perseus already have in common with mythic creatures? He is the son of a god and a human; he is usually strong and handsome; others look to him as a leader.

5. What do you think Polydectes might ask Perseus to bring him? Different Responses He will probably ask for something dangerous or impossible to get, since he wants to get rid of Perseus.

6. What steps might Perseus take in order to slay the Gorgon? GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

7. How do gods and goddesses help Perseus? Athene gives advice, promises him a shield, and says she will be with him on his quest. Hermes will give a magical sword.

8. Athene doesn’t tell Perseus how to get the information he needs from the Phorcides. How do his actions show that he has unusual abilities befitting a mythic hero? Different Responses He quickly sizes up the situation, cleverly seizes the advantage, boldly demands what he wants, and laughs at horrific sisters.

9. What can Perseus do that you wish you could? What does he do that you’re glad you don’t have to do? Different Responses Run in the air, be invisible. Handle the Phorcides’ eye; track down and kill a monster; risk being turned to stone.

10. What do you know about the way that snakes move that could help you define writhed? Snakes move by squirming and twisting, so writhed might mean ‘squirming and twisting’

11. Can you express these values directly in a sentence or a proverb? Different Responses Do what you’ve got to do. There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

12. What might happen to Perseus now? He could be turned to stone; be killed or wounded; escape without the head; or succeed and go home in triumph.

13. What is being explained here? How snakes came to be in Africa.

14. Why does Atlas want to be turned into stone? What origin does this part of the myth explain? He is weary from holding up the heavens. It explains the origin of a mountain at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea.

15. Which details tell you that this is a damsel in distress? Her arms are chained to a ledge; her staring eyes, open mouth and extreme pallor show that she is terrified.

16. What is your initial reaction to Andromeda and her situation? Why? Different Responses Maybe she will harm Perseus. Maybe we feel bad for her and want Perseus to rescue her.

17. Which of Perseus’s actions here show the traits of a mythic hero? He saves Andromeda from death and possibly the country from ruin. He uses his ability to fly to battle the sea beast. In ingeniously uses Medusa’s head to kill the monster.

18. How does the end of this myth illustrate ancient Greek biliefs concerning fate? Acrisios tries to escape his fate buit winds up exactly where death awaits him. Perseus kills him by accident, unaware that he’s even there. That shows that the ancient Greeks saw fate as unalterable.