How ‘Percy Jackson’ Alters Medusa’s Tale To Confront Rape Myth

The ‘Percy Jackson’ TV adaptation takes a closer look at Medusa’s character, shedding light on the rape myth within the Greek mythology and how it has been handled in the series.

Background

For fans of the original ‘Percy Jackson’ books, Medusa represents a victorious encounter for Percy. However, the deeper context of Greek mythology portrays Medusa as a symbol of a darker narrative involving sexual assault.

Original Myth

The original myth depicts Medusa, a celibate devotee of Athena, encountering Poseidon in a nonconsensual sexual encounter. Athena punishes Medusa by transforming her into a gorgon. The demigod Perseus later beheads her, presenting her head to Athena.

Book Limitations

The 2005 novel, tailored for a middle school audience, skims over the darker backstory. However, with Percy being Poseidon’s son and Annabeth, Athena’s daughter, the TV adaptation explores the depth of Medusa’s relationships with the characters’ parents.

Inclusion in TV Series

Rebecca Riordan, the executive producer, explains that the books lacked Medusa’s perspective due to Percy’s first-person narrative. The TV writers room aimed to avoid a patriarchal lens, acknowledging the need for diverse perspectives.

Medusa’s Revelation

In Episode 3, Medusa’s character is introduced with more depth. She narrates her story, portraying herself as a victim of rape and abandonment. The adaptation aims to gesture at the original myth while maintaining age-appropriate content.

Character Design

Given Medusa’s traditional villainous portrayal, the adaptation carefully designs her character. Medusa, depicted as beautiful rather than monstrous, wears elegant attire, emphasizing her emotional processing of Athena’s curse.

Nuanced Perspective

Medusa’s petrifying of enemies is portrayed as her way of emotionally processing the trauma of Athena’s curse. The adaptation presents a more nuanced version of Medusa, acknowledging her physical transformation and the resulting emotional toll.

Interpretation by Cast

Jessica Parker Kennedy, who plays Medusa, interprets the character as a victim of rape and abandonment. The series creators emphasize the importance of acknowledging the abuse of power in the narrative.

Impact on Percy and Annabeth

Medusa’s introduction challenges Percy and Annabeth’s perceptions of their parents. The revelation shakes Percy’s view of his father’s absence, while Annabeth begins questioning her idealized vision of Athena.

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