Medusa

Medusa is the title character of the poem. The poet draws from the Greek myth in which Medusa was turned into a monster as punishment for defiling a sacred temple (in other words, becoming a victim of sexual assault). Today, the figure of Medusa has been elevated from her earlier antagonistic status and reclaimed as a representative of survivors of assault and trauma. In this retelling, Medusa is in a committed romantic relationship, yet feels uncertain of her own worth. She changes herself to please her partner, and loses herself in doing so. By the end, however, it’s implied that she’s able to healthily move forward.

Perseus

Perseus is the male love interest in this poem. Like Medusa, he is a mythological character given a new perspective in this reimagining. He is designed to be archetypal of contemporary men and the risks of 21st-century dating. In...