Medusa was one of three sisters, the gorgons, but she
was the only mortal one. Some versions say all three were born as
monsters, but the predominant myths had them as gorgeous maidens. Poseidon turned her and her sisters into monsters with live
snakes covering their heads. Medusa kept her beautiful face but
everything else was so monstrous. And whoever dared to look into her
face ended up being turned into stone.
(By some the standards of many she was irresistibly beautiful but all who dared look at her face ended up dead.)
Perseus was a Greek demi-god...one parent was human and the other was a god.
Perseus was able to get close enough to Medusa to cut off her head and kill her. He was able to approach her without turning into stone because he used his polished shield as a mirror, thus not looking directly into her face.
Hence my mom's little joke: one of the people that the United States Secret Service must protect is judged to be AWESOME by many people but in fact is a monster. Thus forcing them to wear reflective, ballistic eyewear.
Apologies for the obscure mythological reference. I will have words with my mom.
Bravo to Mom! I had to remember the Greek mythology I read from high school, which in turn, sent me to my shelves. I now have some 'light' reading for the next few evening.
ReplyDelete