Assessment: Comprehension Perseus and Medusa – A Greek Myth
Many years ago in Greece, there lived a young man named Perseus. The old king, Polydectes, wanted to marry Perseus’s beautiful mother, Danae, against her will and would only agree to release her if Perseus brought him the head of Medusa. Medusa was a gorgon, a terrifying monster with the body and face of a beautiful woman, but with hundreds of snakes for hair and the power to turn anyone who looked her in the eye to stone. Brave Perseus accepted this challenge, thinking only of his mother’s happiness.
No sooner had Perseus set out on his journey than he met Hermes, the Messenger God, and Athena, the Goddess of War and Wisdom. Hermes handed Perseus a host of useful gifts.
“These winged sandals will carry you to Medusa’s cave. Wear this helmet for invisibility when you get there and use this sack to carry her severed head,” said Hermes.
Perseus thanked Hermes and turned to Athena. “You will need these also,” she said, handing him a sword and a bronze shield so well polished that he could see his own reflection in it.
Perseus strapped on the sandals and marvelled as they carried him to the mouth of Medusa’s cave. When he landed, he pulled the helmet down firmly onto his head, instantly becoming invisible. Not wanting to be turned to stone like those who had come before him, Perseus used the reflection in the shield to find his way. Feeling scared, but ready to face the gorgon, he made his way cautiously into the cave.
Before long, Perseus came upon Medusa. She heard his footsteps on the cave floor and whirled around to face him, but could not see him. Perseus lunged at her, but could not find his aim while watching her reflection in the shield. He managed only to remove a few hissing snake heads. As Medusa roared with frustration, Perseus kicked a stone towards the back of the cave. Medusa’s head whipped around at the noise behind her. Perseus took his chance and darted forward. This time his aim was true. His sword sliced easily through her neck and her fearsome head fell to the floor with a thud.
Careful not to look her in the eye even in death, Perseus bundled the head into the sack that Hermes had given him and set off home to free his mother.
“Impossible!” cried the king, upon Perseus’s return. “There is no way a weakling like you could have beaten a monster such as Medusa.”
“See for yourself,” cried Perseus, pulling Medusa’s head from the sack and turning the king and all of his subjects to stone where they sat.
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Unit 18 | Revision and Assessment
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