Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Is Medusa a victim or villain?
Position‹2 of 3›

Medusa is a victim

This position holds that Medusa is a victim. It argues that she did nothing to deserve her fate — assaulted by Poseidon, then punished by Athena, who could not strike at a god and so cursed Medusa in his place — making her a casualty of others' power rather than a monster.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. Medusa was taken advantage of by Poseidon
    Medusa was raped by Poseidon, but instead of being defended by her patron goddess, Athena, she was punished for being raped. This makes Medusa a victim.
  2. Athena couldn't punish Poseidon, so she punished Medusa
    Medusa was punished by Athena because she couldn’t punish Poseidon, who was a deity that outranked her.