Stone Blind

The Medusa-Narrator offers the origin of the flute: Noting Euryale’s shriek, Athene tries to replicate the sound. Sitting by a riverbed, she hears wind passing through reeds, cuts one, and invents the flute.

Perseus travels with Medusa’s head in his golden bag. Arriving at the Titan Atlas’ kingdom, he speaks to a shepherd. The shepherd tells him to speak to Atlas and ask for food and shelter. Irritated at these confusing directions, Perseus uses Medusa’s head to turn him to stone. A second Titan maintains an orchard of golden apples and heard it will be targeted by a son of Zeus. Perseus announces himself as a son of Zeus, and Atlas bars him entry. Enraged, Perseus wields Medusa’s head again, and Atlas becomes a mountain. The other Titan is satisfied that he still has his apples, but the Medusa-Narrator reveals that another son of Zeus will steal them.

As Andromeda waits to be sacrificed, tied between two trees, she faces the glare of the sun. Looking at the sea below, she sees an enormous monster—later revealed to be Medusa’s mother, Ceto. She prays to Poseidon.

Perseus returns to Seriphos using Hermes’ winged sandals, unaware of where it is or what it looks like from the air. He hears Andromeda’s screams.

Ceto looks at Andromeda, having been commanded by Poseidon to attack. However, she is confused, as this part of the ocean is unfamiliar. Some of Andromeda’s Ethiopian companions prepare to defend her.

Medusa’s head sees Ceto, first as a collection of fish and then as she is. After reiterating mortals’ failure to distinguish between monstrosity and beauty, Medusa details the reasons for Perseus’ attack—including a desire for Zeus’s love and a desire to kill. As the Ethiopian forces fight, Perseus wields Medusa’s head, and Medusa turns her own mother to stone.

Perseus unties Andromeda and kills the priests who tied her up for sacrifice. She heeds his command to wait before introducing him to her parents.

Despite Andromeda being rescued, Poseidon ignores the Nereids’ desire for revenge against Cassiope. No one avenges Ceto, whom the Medusa-Narrator assumes was sent to die as revenge against the Gorgons (specifically Euryale). She is uncertain if Ceto knew that one of her own children killed her.

The Medusa-Narrator expresses guilt and questions why she kept her eyes open when she looked at Ceto. She claims that Perseus finds monstrosity in all differences.

Andromeda tells her parents that she will marry Perseus. Cepheus and Cassiope are displeased and list reasons why he is unsuitable—including his bloodlust.

On the Ethiopian shore, Perseus removes Medusa’s head from his golden bag, placing her roughly on the ground and causing her pain. He then places her head on seaweed. The Medusa-Narrator castigates the reader for any fondness they feel toward him.

Danaë prepares for her wedding to King Polydectes, assuming Zeus will protect her and her son. King Polydectes sends messengers with commands for her. He plans to meet her soon, and she grabs a broom. Suddenly, Perseus arrives, and he sobs as he hugs his mother.

Perseus brings King Polydectes the head of Medusa. He asks to see it, and Perseus secretly tells Dictys and Danaë to avert their gaze. King Polydectes and some of his men turn to stone, while the rest escape. Perseus announces that the statues will remain, serving as reminders to those who might threaten his family. However, Dictys prefers them to be laid to rest in sand.

Hera questions Zeus about Perseus’ bloodlust. He excuses his son, but she wonders about others following Perseus’ lead. She leaves Zeus with the idea that the other Olympians could rebel against him.

Andromeda’s wedding becomes a massacre: Phineas, her uncle, returned to claim her as his bride, and Perseus retaliated with Medusa’s head—which petrified Phineas’ forces and guests alike. Andromeda searches for her parents, and upon returning to the banquet hall with them, she sees numerous statutes. Perseus dislikes her parents and wants to take her away from them.

Zeus talks to Athene about taking Medusa’s head from Perseus. While they argue, she compares Zeus to Perseus, as both men have secured their lineage with bloodshed. Still, she agrees to seize Medusa’s head.

The Medusa-Narrator introduces Iodame, a faithful priestess of Athene. She helps older priestesses make a new dress for a statue of Athene as part of an annual festival. After the festival, the priestesses celebrate. Later, Iodame wakes up to see Athene, who wanted to meet her. She sees Medusa’s head, strapped to Athene’s breastplate, and turns to stone.

Athene tries to force Medusa’s head to revive Iodame. Medusa replies that she doesn’t have this ability because Athene didn’t curse her with it. Athene confesses to homesickness for a home that doesn’t exist. Medusa explains she can take her somewhere else, but she can’t return. Athene agrees, and their gazes meet.

The Medusa-Narrator describes a statue of Athene. Medusa’s head is left at the bottom of the sea, having turned the surrounding seaweed and coral to stone. Her eyes are now closed.