Perseus and Medusa

Perseus outsmarts fate and monsters in this classic Greek myth of heroism, divine intervention, and destiny. A young hero embarks on an impossible quest to obtain the head of Medusa, facing challenges that require both courage and cunning to overcome. So snuggle up in your blankets and have sweet dreams. 

The music in this episode is Libra by Sayuri Hayashi Egnell. 

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:21

Welcome to Dreamful Podcast Bedtime stories for slumber. I would like to start off this episode by thanking our newest supporters, haley Dunn and Lindsay Bognor. Thank you both so much, and I hope you have the sweetest of dreams. If you'd like to be just like Haley and Lindsay and support the show and gain access to subscriber-only episodes while receiving a shout out, visit dreamfullstoriescom and, on the support page, find the link to become a Buzzsprout supporter or subscribe to your supercast. If you listen on Spotify, your support goes towards things like equipment, music licensing, paying for my website and, of course, paying for my amazing editor, katie.

Speaker 1: 1:07

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Speaker 1: 1:58

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Speaker 1: 4:01

Ocrisius was king in Argos. It was once foretold that he would be killed by the son of his daughter, dani. Thereupon he shut up his daughter and her son, perseus by name, in a chest and threw it into a raging flood. The gods pitied the innocent ones and directed it to the island of Seraphos. The kings of the island, dictys and Polydectes, were one day drawing a net from the sea. Great was their astonishment when they found a chest in the net and heard sorrowful moanings in its interior. They opened it and the noble Dany stepped out with her beautiful son. Dictys took them home with him and cared for them as if they had been his own brother and sister, as if they had been his own brother and sister.

Speaker 1: 5:11

When Perseus reached his young manhood, he surpassed everyone in skill and dexterity in martial sports. Polydectes conceived evil designs against the innocent Dany and, as he feared Perseus, he decided to send him out of the country. He soon found the opportunity. He gave a banquet to the leading men of the island, at which he announced that he was going to take a wife. He also required each one of them to procure a beautiful horse for a wedding gift. In his youthful presumptuousness, perseus said Whatever you wish I promise to do. Even should you request the head of the Gorgon, I would procure it for you. The king replied Bring me the gorgon's head, but know this if you do not keep your word, your mother, dany, shall make compensation.

Speaker 1: 6:24

Troubled in mind, perseus went to the seashore and confided his tears to the waves. Hermes, the divine messenger, at once appeared and promised his assistance. Assistance. He conducted him to the house of night, in the extreme limits of the earth, where there is neither the gold light of the sun nor the mild luster of the moon. In that grey place, the daughters of Forcus lived all grey themselves and withered as an old age. They were strange creatures indeed, most of all because they had but one eye for the three, which it was their custom to take turns with, each removing it from her forehead when she had it for a time and handing it to another. All this, hermes told Perseus, and then he unfolded his plan he would himself guide Perseus to them Once there. Perseus must keep hidden until he saw one of them take the eye out of her forehead to pass it.

Speaker 1: 7:46

At that moment, when none of the three could see, he must rush forward and seize the eye and refuse to give it back until they told him how to reach the nymphs of the north, he himself, hermes said, would give him a sword to attack Medusa with which could not be bent or broken by the Gorgon scales. This was a wonderful gift, no doubt. And yet of what use was a sword when the creature to be struck by it could turn the swordsman into stone before he was within striking distance? But another great deity was at hand to help. Athena took off the shield of polished bronze which covered her breast and held it out to him. Look into this. When you attack the Gorgon, she said, you will be able to see her in it as a mirror and so avoid her deadly power.

Speaker 1: 9:06

The journey to the twilight land was long, over the stream of ocean and on to the very border of the black country. They found the grey women at last, looking in the wavering light. Like grey birds, for they had the shape of swans, but their heads were human, and beneath their wings they had arms and hands. Perseus did just as Hermes had said he held back until he saw one take the eye out of her forehead. Then, before she could give it to her sister, he snatched it out of her hand, perseus spoke out and told them he had taken it and that it would be theirs again. Only when they showed him how to find the nymphs of the north, they gave him full directions at once. He returned it to them and went on the way they had pointed out to him.

Speaker 1: 10:15

He was bound, although he did not know it, to the blessed country of the Hyperbians at the back of the north wind, of which, it said Neither by ship nor yet by land shall one find the wondrous road to the gathering place of the Hyperboreans. But Perseus had Hermes with him, so that the road lay open to him and he reached that host of happy people who were always banqueting and holding joyful revelry. They showed him great kindness, they welcomed him to their feast and the maidens, dancing to the sound of flute and lyre, paused to get for him the gifts he sought. These were three winged sandals, a magic wallet which would always become the right size for whatever was to be carried in it and, most important of all, the cloak of Pluto which made them wear invisible. With these and Athena's shield and Hermes' sword, perseus was ready for the Gorgons.

Speaker 1: 11:38

Hermes knew where they lived and, leaving the happy land, the two flew back across ocean and over sea to the terrible sisters' land. There dwelt the sisters, the terrible gorgons whose heads were covered with snakes. The chill of death struck those who looked upon them. Their breath left them and they turned to stone. By happy fate, the monsters slept with their faces turned downwards. As Perseus courageously approached with his drawn sword, hermes and Athena stood at his side, instructing him how to begin so as to keep his word. Advance so you do not see the faces, said they, lest they turn you to stone. Draw your sword only against the middle one of the Gorgons, the Medusa, for she alone is mortal. When you have recognized her, raise this gleaming shield in which her face will be mirrored. After these words, the immortals left Perseus. After these words, the immortals left Perseus. Approaching near, he saw the figure of the gorgon on his shield. He raised his sword and struck off her head. He then seized it by the snaky hair, placed it into the magic wallet and hurried away. The two living Gorgons awoke and swept the air with their wings, but could not catch the youth, as the cloak of Pluto hid him from their sight.

Speaker 1: 13:43

On his way back, perseus came to Ethiopia. The people there were in great trouble, for a dreadful calamity had happened to them. The water of the sea was in flood and had brought with it a monster which devoured men and animals. The oracle was consulted, consulted and gave this answer Only when Andromeda, the king's daughter, is given to the sea monster for food will the flood abate. Although the noble maiden was greatly beloved, there was a universal demand to offer her up, save the country. Andromeda was thereupon taken to a rock and securely bound to it. Flying through the air, perseus saw the maiden. He immediately descended and ascertained her fate. Fate. Then he hastened to the king and asked him if he would give his daughter to him for wife if he freed the country from the monster. The king promised that he would.

Speaker 1: 15:04

Perseus betook himself to the shore and awaited the appearance of the monster. He soon emerged from the water made for the rocks to devour the maiden. Perseus attacked and killed it. After a hard fight, the waves of the sea at once receded and the country was freed from the pest. The king gave the victor his daughter for wife, and a great festival was held in his honor. After some time it elapsed, perseus bethought himself of the promise he had made King Polydectes to bring him the Gorgon's head and therefore made his way with his wife to the island of Seraphis, where Polydectes ruled in common with his brother. How astonished Polydectes was when he saw the hero returning whose death he had wished. Perseus held the head of Medusa before the king, and the sight of it turned him to stone instantly. When Polydectes had thus been punished, perseus gave the Medusa's head to Athena, who fastened it in the middle of her breastplate. The cloak, wallet and shoes he gave to Hermes, who returned them to the Nymphs.

Speaker 1: 16:47

Perseus now went back to Argos, his homeland. When Acrisius heard he was approaching the castle, he fled to the Pelasians. Perseus followed him and found him there. He implored him to return with him to Argos and promised that he would do him no harm. This reassured Acrisius and he agreed to follow him. On the day fixed for their departure, a contest was arranged by the Pelasians in which Perseus took part. He engaged in disc throwing, and Perseus struck his grandfather upon the foot with the disc, which led to his illness and death. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled. Perseus lived long and happily with his wife Andromeda, who bore him six sons and two daughters.

Speaker 1: 18:07

Acrisius was king in Argos. It was once foretold that he would be killed by the son of his daughter, dany. Thereupon he shut up his daughter and her son, perseus by name, in a chest and threw it into a raging flood. The gods pitied the innocent ones and directed it to the island of Seraphos. The kings of the island, dictys and Polydectys, were one day drawing a net from the sea. Great was their astonishment when they found a chest in the net and heard sorrowful moanings in its interior. They opened it and the noble Dany stepped out with her beautiful son. Dictys took them home with him and cared for them as if they had been his own brother and sister.

Speaker 1: 19:23

When Perseus reached his young manhood, he surpassed everyone in skill and dexterity in martial sports. Polydectes conceived evil designs against the innocent Dany and as he feared Perseus, he decided to send him out of the country. He soon found the opportunity. He gave a banquet to the leading men of the island at which he announced that he was going to take a wife. He also required each one of them to procure a beautiful horse for a wedding gift. In his youthful presumptuousness, perseus said Whatever you wish, I promise to do. Even should you request the head of the Gorgon, I would procure it for you. The king replied Bring me the Gorgon's head. But know this if you do not keep your word, your mother, dany, shall make compensation.

Speaker 1: 20:38

In his mind, perseus went to the seashore and confided his tears to the waves. Hermes, the divine messenger, at once appeared and promised his assistance. He conducted him to the house of night, in the extreme limits of the earth, where there is neither the gold light of the sun nor the mild luster of the moon. In that grey place, the daughters of Forcus lived all grey themselves and withered as an old age. They were strange creatures indeed, most of all because they had but one eye for the three, which it was their custom to take turns with, each removing it from her forehead when she had it for a time and handing it to another. All this Hermes told Perseus, and then he unfolded his plan he would himself guide Perseus to them.

Speaker 1: 21:43

Once there, perseus must keep hidden until he saw one of them take the eye out of her forehead to pass it. At that moment, when none of the three could see, he must rush forward and seize the eye and refuse to give it back. Until they told him how to reach the nymphs of the north, he said would give him a sword to attack Medusa with which could not be bent or broken by the Gorgon scales. This was a wonderful gift, no doubt. And yet of what use was a sword when the creature to be struck by it could turn the swordsman into stone before he was within striking distance? But another great deity was at hand to help. Athena took off the shield of polished bronze which covered her breast and held it out to him. Look into this. When you attack the Gorgon, she said, you will be able to see her in it as a mirror and so avoid her deadly power.

Speaker 1: 23:12

The journey to the Twilight Land was long, over the stream of ocean and on to the very border of the black country, they found the grey women at last, looking in the wavering light like grey birds, for they had the shape of swans, but their heads were human and beneath their wings they had arms and hands. Perseus did just as Hermes had said he held back until he saw one take the eye out of her forehead. Then, before she could give it to her sister, he snatched it out of her hand. Perseus spoke out and told them he had taken it and that it would be theirs again. Only when they showed him how to find the Nymphs of the North. They gave him full directions at once. He returned it to them and went on the way they had pointed out to him.

Speaker 1: 24:21

He was bound, although he did not know it, to the blessed country of the Hyperbians, at the back of the north wind, of which, is said. Neither by ship nor yet by land shall one find the wondrous road to the gathering place of the Hyperboreans. But Perseus had Hermes with him, so that the road lay open to him and he reached that host of happy people who were always banqueting and holding joyful revelry. They showed him great kindness, they welcomed him to their feast and the maidens, dancing to the sound of flute and lyre, paused to get for him the gifts he sought. The gifts he sought, these were three winged sandals, a magic wallet which would always become the right size for whatever was to be carried in it and, most important of all, the cloak of Pluto which made them wearer invisible. With these and Athena's shield and Hermes' sword, perseus was ready for the Gorgons.

Speaker 1: 25:43

Hermes knew where they lived and, leaving the happy land, the two flew back across ocean and over sea to the terrible sisters' land. There dwelt the sisters, the terrible gorgons whose heads were covered with snakes. The chill of death struck those who looked upon them. Their breath left them and they turned to stone. By happy fate, the monsters slept with their faces turned downwards. As Perseus courageously approached with his drawn sword, hermes and Athena stood at his side, instructing him how to begin so as to keep his word. Stood at his side instructing him how to begin so as to keep his word. Advance so you do not see the faces, said they, lest they turn you to stone. Draw your sword only against the middle one of the Gorgons, the Medusa, for she alone is mortal. When you have recognized her, raise this gleaming shield in which her face will be mirrored. After these words, the immortals left Perseus Approaching near. He saw the figure of the Gorgon on his shield. He raised his sword and struck off her head. He then seized it by the snaky hair, placed it into the magic wallet and hurried away. The two living Gorgons awoke and swept the air with their wings, but could not catch the youth as the cloak of Pluto hid him from their sight.

Speaker 1: 27:49

On his way back, perseus came to Ethiopia. The people there were in great trouble, for a dreadful calamity had happened to them the water of the sea was in flood and had brought with it a monster which devoured men and animals. The oracle was consulted and gave this answer Only when Andromeda, the king's daughter, is given to the sea monster for food will the flood abate. Although the noble maiden was greatly beloved, there was a universal demand to offer her up save the country. Andromeda was thereupon taken to a rock and securely bound to it.

Speaker 1: 28:42

Flying through the air, perseus saw the maiden. He immediately descended and ascertained her fate. Then he hastened to the king and asked him if he would give his daughter to him for wife if he freed the country from the monster. The king promised that he would. Perseus betook himself to the shore and awaited the appearance of the monster. He soon emerged from the water, made for the rocks to devour the maiden, perseus attacked and killed it. After a hard fight. The waves of the sea at once receded and the country was freed from the pest. The king gave the victor his daughter for wife, and a great festival was held in his honor.

Speaker 1: 29:46

After some time it elapsed, perseus bethought himself of the promise he had made King Polydectes to bring him the Gorgon's head, and therefore made his way with his wife to the island of Seraphis, where Polydectes ruled, in common with his brother. How astonished Polydectes was when he saw the hero returning whose death he had wished. Perseus held the head of Medusa before the king, and the sight of it turned him to stone instantly. When Polydectes had thus been punished, perseus gave the Medusa's head to Athena, who fastened it in the middle of her breastplate. The cloak, wallet and shoes he gave to Argos, his homeland.

Speaker 1: 30:59

When Acrisius heard he was approaching the castle, he fled to the Pelasians. Perseus followed him and found him there. He implored him to return with him to Argos and promised that he would do him no harm. This reassured Acrisius and he agreed to follow him. On the day fixed for their departure, a contest was arranged by the Pelasians in which Perseus took part. He engaged in disc throwing and Perseus struck his grandfather upon the foot with the disc, which led to his illness and death. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled. Perseus lived long and happily with his wife Andromeda, who bore him six sons no-transcript.