There is much dark you to definitely clouds new grand tale. Cassiopeia, Andromeda’s mother, is actually good vain and you will haughty girl who endangers this lady gorgeous, virgin girl of the enticing Andromeda so you’re able to exude vanity and you may declare that she actually is martial arts dating service a whole lot more gorgeous as compared to naiads. Difficult the brand new divine steps in such a way, Neptune (Poseidon) are enraged and you may enchains Andromeda as used by the sea-monster Cetus. Medusa, the newest gorgon which Perseus slays, was also a vain girl-a girly Narcissus-enraptured of the her own breathtaking tresses. Attracting Neptune, she consummated the intimate lust in the virgin forehead away from Minerva (Athena). It outrages Minerva and causes the woman to turn Medusa’s dear award with the a nest regarding unpleasant and repulsive snakes.
Despite all skullduggery, vanity, and you will impiety that are interwoven on the facts, it is very important remember that all of those who will be metamorphosized are sinners deserving punishment. Medusa need to be killed to possess, close to this lady vanity, the woman solution out-of an excellent divine temple. Atlas need certainly to equally be considered stone having his impious affront up against Jupiter. Phineus need to be slain for their lust to own effective and you may governmental desires and that wreak havoc through the a wedding meal. No matter if such transformations are due to just punishment to possess sin, the brand new metamorphosis off Perseus and you may Andromeda is exactly what the story principally questions by itself that have.
Perseus is the son off Jove and therefore an effective demi-goodness, a sort of godman who’s region peoples and you can area divine. It is, after all, their fides, their faith, that allows him to overcome all of the beasts and you will obstacles that substitute their means.
Minerva has actually taught Perseus simple tips to defeat Medusa. Don’t check out this lady vision, the new deity implores the brand new character-child, ahead of giving him a shield to protect himselfing on a lying Medusa, Perseus uses the new secure-instead of their naked sight-so you can line up this new culling strike. After decapitating this new gorgon, the guy urban centers your head into the a pouch to keep himself, and others, safe from the woman tremendous efforts hence remain despite demise.
As he soars above with the Pegasus, he comes across the latest simple and beautiful Cassiopeia enchained towards the stones. Once the Ovid renders obvious, the girl innocence and you can purity consult preserving, “Indeed there, innocent, by Jove’s unjust decree / Destined to endure on her behalf mom’s tongue, / Andromeda try pinioned on a stone.” Since the Andromeda is free from any affront, one sin, she cannot be punished.
Phineus, Andromeda’s original possible partner, enjoys perhaps not this lady charm and you will feminine mystique, but the governmental electricity you to definitely she provides-Phineus’ lust to own political electricity is the base regarding their relationship having Andromeda
Exactly what explanations Perseus so you’re able to help save her? It’s evident you to Andromeda isn’t worthy of the fresh future of being ate of the Cetus, however it is maybe not her innocence that’s the software off the woman deliverance up to it’s Perseus’ like upon watching her. “When Perseus watched her, had a good wafting snap / Perhaps not impressed the lady hair, the girl attention perhaps not overflowed / With moving rips, he had dreamed the girl / A marble sculpture. Like, ahead of the guy know, / Kindled; he gazed entranced; and beat / Of the loveliness therefore exquisite, therefore unusual, / Almost forgot so you’re able to hover floating around.” It’s like that provides Andromeda off their enchainment. Moreover, and incredibly important, it is eyes out of the lady deal with, unlike the lady system, that enables Perseus to understand her while the peoples.
As he is actually a device away from divine view against sinners, he or she is and additionally transformed using their deeds off courageous love and you may faith on gods
Your face is the chair of your own spirit and you may subjectivity. The human deal with brings liveliness and you will identification to the dead, soulless, matter industry. That isn’t incidental, after that, it is your face which suggests Andromeda’s charm and you will identification. After turning Cetus with the brick, Perseus requests this new fair girl’s identity, “Inform you, I beg, your name and this land’s identity.” One Perseus requests the lady label indicates their need for the woman subjectivity, and not soleley the lady carnal beauty (regardless if this can be added to the woman subjectivity and you will soulfulness).
