Medusa

Medusa is one of the main characters of the novel. She is one of the Gorgons, and thus one of the sea gods Ceto and Phorcys’s daughters. Shortly after her birth, she is deposited on a Libyan island where her sisters, also Gorgons, Sthenno and Euryale reside. Unlike her sisters, Medusa is mortal. Therefore, when Sthenno and Euryale first find her on the beach, it takes them several days “to learn not to kill her by accident” (16). Over time, the Gorgon sisters not only learn how to care for Medusa, but fall in love with her. Their love for Medusa changes them. For the first time in their lives, they feel fear on another’s behalf.

When Medusa is 16 years old, she begs her sisters to visit the temple of Athene. While there, Poseidon pays Medusa a visit. Because Medusa refuses to give herself to Poseidon, he...