Teaching the Mythological Marvel: Perseus and Medusa - A Tale of Heroism, Divine Intervention, and Greek Mythology for the Middle and High School Classroom

Embark on a journey through Greek mythology as you delve into the captivating tale of Perseus and his winged steed, Pegasus. The story breaks through the page — and it is the stuff of art and culture. For example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art provides a mesmerizing glimpse into this ancient myth with its iconic sculpture, Perseus with the Head of Medusa. Join us as we explore the narrative intricacies of this masterpiece and unlock the secrets of Perseus's triumph over the formidable Medusa.

The Argive hero Perseus pervades myth, art, and literature.

The Narrative Enigma: Perseus and Medusa Sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Immerse yourself in the splendor of the European Sculpture Court at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Amidst the masterpieces, one statue stands out with its compelling storytelling ability—the Perseus with the Head of Medusa. Discover the striking connection between this sculpture and Canova's replica of Perseus in the Vatican museums, which elegantly borrows from the grace of Apollo Belvedere.

A Captivating Contrast: Canova vs. Caravaggio - Beauty and Horror in Sculpture

Dive into the enthralling juxtaposition between Canova's Perseus and Caravaggio's Medusa's Head. While Caravaggio's interpretation leans towards horrific grandeur, Canova's sculpture opts for subtle beauty and triumphant serenity. Explore the intricate details that distinguish the two artistic approaches, including Canova's subtle depiction of snakes on Medusa's brow.

The Hero's Quest: Perseus's Epic Adventure

Unravel the captivating tale of Perseus, the valiant son of Zeus, and his heroic quest to slay the mortal Gorgon, Medusa. Discover the harrowing circumstances that led Perseus to undertake this perilous mission, from being locked in a chest as a child to seeking revenge against Polydectes, his mother's treacherous husband. Journey alongside Perseus as he ventures to the edge of the world in pursuit of his formidable foe.

Divine Assistance: Gods, Goddesses, and Nymph Sisters

Explore the intricate web of divine intervention that guided Perseus on his quest. Uncover the gods and goddesses who lent their aid, including Athena, who bestowed him with a shield, and Hermes, who granted him a scimitar. Delve into the critical role played by the Graeae, the nymph sisters who provided invaluable assistance on his treacherous path.

Triumph over the Gorgon: Perseus's Confrontation with Medusa

Witness the climactic battle as Perseus faces Medusa, armed with his shield, scimitar, cape of invisibility, and winged sandals. Learn Perseus's crucial tactic to avoid Medusa's deadly gaze and transform her into stone. Discover the astonishing outcome of their encounter, as Pegasus, the legendary winged horse, emerges from Medusa's severed head.

Discover Mythology Resources from Stones of Erasmus

Engage Your Classroom with Three-Day English Language Arts Lesson

Ignite your students' imagination and passion for Greek mythology with a meticulously designed three-day English Language Arts Lesson. Dive deep with a unit on the hero's journey, divine intervention, heroism, conflict, and the mythical creatures that populate the ancient Greek world. This resource is specifically tailored for distance learning, providing Google Apps, PDF, and Easel Activities and Assessments (exclusive to Teachers Pay Teachers) compatible with Google Classroom and other learning management platforms.

Unlock the Power of Greek Mythology with Our Resource

Our comprehensive resource package is aligned with Common Core Standards, making it a valuable addition to your curriculum. Featuring teacher's notes, a three-day lesson calendar, engaging activities, and assessment tools, this resource ensures an immersive and educational experience for your students. Foster critical thinking and literary analysis as you explore the representation of Perseus and Medusa in different artistic mediums.

Unleash the Potential of Greek Mythology in Your Classroom

Introduce your students to the fascinating world of Greek mythology through our engaging and thought-provoking educational resource. Perfect for middle and high school students, this resource can be seamlessly integrated into an English Language Arts Mythology unit or as a standalone lesson. Combine it with other myth-related materials to create a comprehensive exploration of ancient Greek culture and storytelling.

Unearth the Mysteries of Greek Mythology Today!

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to bring the mesmerizing tales of Perseus, Medusa, and other mythological figures to life in your classroom. Equip your students with the knowledge and analytical skills to appreciate these captivating stories' timeless beauty and significance. Dive into the realm of Greek mythology and watch your students' imaginations soar!

For more information and to access our educational resources, please visit Stones of Erasmus on Teachers Pay Teachers, and other educational content sites.

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Aesthetic Thursdays: Perseus with the Head of Medusa

Perseus with the Head of the Medusa, Antonio Canova, The Metropolitan Museum of Art 

The Face of Perseus

Detail - The Head of Medusa, Metropolitan Museum

For several Fridays in a row, I've been dedicating at least an hour to the Metropolitan Museum of Art galleries. Proffering my student ID I pay as little as ten dollars to view a vast collection of priceless art. One more reason why I love New York City. I do not stay longer than an hour and I stick to one section, sometimes only one room. For my visit today I scurried over to the European Sculpture Court and sat with the sculptures. The Perseus statue with the head of the Medusa struck me because of the narrative embedded in the presentation. Perseus is stylistically graceful in this replica of Canova's Perseus which is now in the Vatican museums. The Met's profile on the piece mentions that Perseus's stance is modeled off the Apollo Belvedere. This seems right to me. It is as if Canova imagined what Apollo would have been holding if he were Perseus! The result is a stunning sculpture that projects grace in victory rather than priapic destruction. The medusa head in the Canova is hardly horrifying. The nest of vipers seems stilled and her face is cast in a dull mourning. Contrasted with Carravagio's Medusa's Head, which I mentioned on these pages, Canova has placed only a slight reference to snakes: two opposite facing serpents adorn the brow of the Medusa. Where Caravaggio favors priapism and glorious horror, Canova goes for subtle beauty and quiescent victory.

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Aesthetic Thursdays: Medusa

If the canvas is Perseus's shield, then this is Medusa's last stare.

Caravaggio, Medusa, 1597, Oil on canvas mounted on wood

Perseus, a son of Zeus, an epic hero of Greek myth, was locked in a chest as a boy by his grandfather with his mother inside and thrown to sea, because an oracle foretold he would kill the king Of Argos; he was saved by a fisherman and raised to manhood. His most famous deed: he sought to behead the Gorgon Medusa, partly from a wager with Polydectes the King of Seriphos, his mother's husband, and partly out of despair, for he knew Polydectes wanted to get rid of him. Perseus traveled to the edge of the world to find the Gorgon, one of three Gorgons, who were sisters, Medusa was the only one mortal. The Graeae, nymph sisters, helped him, as well as several gods and goddesses. To kill the Gorgon, Perseus had to avoid eye contact with her lest he turn to stone by looking her directly in the eye. So armed with a shield, bequeathed to him by Athena, and a scimitar, from Hermes, and a cape of invisibility, and winged sandals, he was able to peer on the Gorgon indiscreetly in her lair without looking at her directly, and slew her with his blade. When Perseus slew the Gorgon she was pregnant, and out of her belly flew Pegasus, the winged horse.

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NB: If you want to check out the real shield, haunt the Uffizi gallery in Florence, Italy.
image credit: New Crafts, Co.