Round 11/ Mythology / Medusa: and we all have a hell
Download Link
Medusa: and we all have a hell
Medusa is a figure in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. There are many versions of how Medusa came to be the monster in the stories. Some say she was born that way; others have different stories of how she came to be a monster. I will focus on the one most striking to me.
Medusa was a great beauty in Athens who devoted her life and chastity to the Goddess Athena. Medusa served as a Priestess in Athena’s Temple. She was devoted to her Goddess. Many men desired and lusted after Medusa. One, The God Poseidon, lusted after her greatly. He watched her and decided he must have her. He follows her and ravages her against her will in the Temple. Medusa is devastated by the rape and turns to Athena. Athena is angered, but not at Poseidon. Athena releases her anger and betrayal on Medusa and changes her to a hideous monster with scaly stone like skin and serpents for hair and then banishes her. Not only is Medusa ugly and banished, her curse goes much deeper. Anyone who comes and looks upon her is turned to stone, essentially leaving Medusa in complete solitude forever.
Some men discover that Medusa’s head may be able to be used as a weapon in battle if they can posses it. They want to turn their enemies to stone. Many come and try to take her head. They are all defeated and turned to stone as they look upon Medusa.
In Argos the Demi-God Perseus lives with his mother, the King of Argos wishes to marry Perseus’s mother Danae. She does not wish to marry the king. She would rather die. Perseus will do whatever it takes to save his mother from this fate. He tells the King he will bring him the head of Medusa in exchange for his mothers freedom. Perseus sets out to murder Medusa and bring her head to the King. He finds her, sneaks up on her backwards to prevent being turned to stone. He takes her head and returns to the King.
Medusa’s years of torment and isolation are over.
In my Arms - Plumb
The Goddess Athena has drawn Medusa into her fold of Priestesses of her Temple and shows her love for her followers.
Knowing clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms
Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
But you are never all alone
Because I will always
Always love you
Innocence - Avril Lavigne
Medusa feels safe and loved in the Temple of Athena.
I found a place so safe, not a single tear
The first time in my life and now it's so clear
Feel calm, I belong, I'm so happy here
It's so strong and now I let myself be sincere
I wouldn't change a thing about it
This is the best feeling
Monster - Skillet
Poseidon has observed Medusa and desires her, she has taken a vow, and he doesn’t care. He still wants her. He can’t control his lust.
The secret side of me
I never let you see
I keep it caged
But I can't control it
So stay away from me
The beast is ugly
I feel the rage
And I just can't hold it
It's scratching on the walls
In the closet, in the halls
It comes awake
And I can't control it
Spying in the Doorway - Nightwish
Poseidon watches the Priestess Medusa in the Temple; he plans to steal her virtue.
And We All Have a Hell - From First to Last
Poseidon follows Medusa and rapes her in Athena’s Temple.
Every day gets worse,
Locked in a vice my thoughts perverse
You must wonder why I look at you that way (that way)
Tonight I'll make my way into your house
I must; I'm lusting for your body
Skin looks tight, think I just might have
To take a bite, but I know one will turn
To three or four or more my little whore
Tonight, tonight she's not alone
(can you taste the wicked in the room?)
Bobbysoxer, so pure, so young
By morning her soul will be gone, gone.
My Skin - Natalie Merchant
Medusa is violated and prays to the Goddess Athena to help her through the feelings of violation caused by her being raped.
I've been treated so wrong
I've been treated so long
As if I'm becoming untouchable
I'm a slow dying flower
Frost killing hour
The sweet turning sour
And untouchable
Oh, I need
The darkness
The sweetness
The sadness
The weakness
Oh, I need this
I need
A lullaby
A kiss goodnight
Angel sweet
Love of my life
Oh, I need this
Everybody’s Fool - Evanescence
The Goddess Athena is angered by what occurred in her Temple and feels betrayed by Medusa.
Have you no shame? Don't you see me?
you know you've got everybody fooled
look here she comes now
bow down and stare in wonder
oh how we love you
no flaws when you're pretending
but now I know she
never was and never will be
you don't know how you've betrayed me
and somehow you've got everybody fooled
without the mask where will you hide?
can't find yourself lost in your lie
i know the truth now
i know who you are
and i don't love you anymore
Midnight - Murray Gold
Athena, betrayed and hurt, banishes Medusa and changes her into a hideous monster, with stone like skin and serpents surrounding her head.
My Heart is Broken - Evanescence
Medusa, banished and alone, is broken.
I will wander 'til the end of time, torn away from you.
I pulled away to face the pain.
I close my eyes and drift away.
Over the fear that I will never find
A way to heal my soul.
And I will wander 'til the end of time
Torn away from you.
My heart is broken
Sweet sleep, my dark angel
Deliver us from sorrow's hold
(Over my heart).
Lights - Ellie Goulding
Medusa, tormented and isolated, realizes maybe she could be stronger.
I had a way then losing it all on my own
I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown
And I'm not sleeping now the dark is too hard to beat
And I'm not keeping up the strength I need to push me
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine It when I'm alone
And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
And dreaming when they're gone
'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
Calling, calling, calling home
You show the lights that stop me turn to stone
You shine It when I'm alone
Home
Noises, I play within my head
Touch my own skin and hope that I'm still breathing
And I think back to when my brother and my sister slept
In an unlocked place the only time I feel safe
Never Too Late - Three Days Grace
Perseus and his mother (Danae) are forced into a difficult decision when the King of Argos is going to force Danae to marry him. Perseus will do whatever it takes to save his mother from that fate.
This world will never be
what I expected
and if I don't belong
who would have guessed it……
No one will ever see
This side reflected
And if there's something wrong
Who would have guessed it
And I have left alone
Everything that I own
To make you feel like
It's not too late
It's never too late
Even if I say
It'll be alright
Still I hear you say
You want to end your life
Now and again we try
To just stay alive
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'Cause it's not too late
It's never too late
Out Alive - Ke$sha
Men have been coming to Medusa’s lair to try and kill her, she has gained strength, and no one will escape.
I'm standing on my own two feet,
Somewhere hangin' in between,
My life and the death of me.
Fate doesn't leave us time to waste,
Weaving through the human race,
Till we run out of air to breathe.
But no one's getting out alive!
All the gold on Earth, it won't buy time!
So we might as well give up the fight!
Live it up tonight!
No one's getting out alive!
Survival - Muse
Perseus comes after Medusa, to bring her head to the King to save his mother. He refuses to accept defeat and sneaks up on Medusa and removes her head.
And I’ll light the fuse
And I’ll never lose
And I choose to survive
Whatever it takes
You won’t pull ahead
I’ll keep up the pace
And I’ll reveal my strength
To the whole human race
Yes I am prepared
To stay alive
Because I choose to thrive
Yeah, I’m gonna win!
Tourniquet - Evanescence
Medusa lay dying, she prays again to the Goddess Athena in hopes it is not too late for her soul to be saved.
Do you remember me?
Lost for so long
Will you be on the other side
Or will you forget me?
I'm dying, praying, bleeding and screaming
Am I too lost to be saved?
Am I too lost?
My God my tourniquet
Return to me salvation
My God my tourniquet
Return to me salvation.
