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Medusa
Directed by	Chris Columbus
Written by	Rick Riordan
Screenplay by	Craig Titley
Starring	Uma Thurman
Cinematography	Stephen Goldblatt
Running time	119 minutes
Countries	United Kingdom, United States
Language	English
Budget	$95 million

Medusa
[[File:(Image_Name) |frameless]] How Medusa is portrayed in Greek Mythology
Folk tale
Name	Medusa
Also known as	Medusa, youngest of the Gorgon sisters
Aarne–Thompson grouping	Riddle-tales
Mythology	Greek Mythology
Country	Greece

This article is about how cinematography, film adaptations and shows which are based on old folk tales or mythology, where the creatures are often changed to fit the storyline/screenplay.

In the movie 'Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief', Medusa's character is portrayed differently and inaccurately to original mythology. Uma Thurman's Medusa in the film has a different background story as to how she was cursed and a different relationship with Poseidon who was played by Kevin McKidd.

Medusa's Character in the Percy Jackson film adaptation

In the film adaptation Medusa poses as aunty Em who owns a shop called "Aunty Em's Garden Gnome Emporium", the shop is actually Medusa's lair where she creates her statues. Unlike mythological stories, Medusa's statues in the film are unable to to undo the petrification which explains why she breaks them without hesitation when trying to stop Percy. In Medusa's dialogue she states that Athena was the "woman who cursed me(her)" which is factually correct to Greek mythology. In the film it is stated that Medusa "used to date" Percy's father which is inaccurate to mythological stories of their relation however different sources have different interpretations such as a simple requited seduction to sexual assault. However in the film interpretation Medusa's backstory with Percy's father was that they were previously in a relationship.

Medusa's dialogue

Although Medusa's appearance in the movie was short, her dialogue was enough to inform the audience of her role in the film.

"Well this is a fabulous surprise, it's so heartening to have such young visitors. We get so lonely here. Don't we? That's why I create my statues. They're my only company...daughter of Athena"

"You have such beautiful hair. I once had hair like that. I was courted...desired by many suitors. But that all changed...because of your mother-the woman who cursed me. Who turned me...into this!"

"They say the eyes are windows to the soul. I hope you find my eyes...attractive. So rude, not looking people in the eyes. Come on...sneak a peak."

"You make a wonderful addition to my collection. We'll be friends forever. Do you mind?"

"Sooner or later, you willopen those eyes. The temptation to look at me is too hard to resist."

"Who's that? Another demigod. I can sense you."

"Son of Poseidon. I used to date your daddy."

"I hear you have the lightning bolt. May I see it? Let me see your eyes I hear they're bluer than the Circassian sea. Open them, or my hungry babies will have to open them for you. But it would be such a pity to destroy such a young and handsome face."

"Stay with me, Percy. All you have to do is look."

"Son of Posidon!"

Different sources of Medusa's story in comparison to the film adaptation

The Wikipedia article about Medusa states that she was "originally a beautiful maiden" who was seduced by Poseidon and "had sex with her in Athena's temple". The act of seduction and sex in Athena's sacred temple resulted in Athena cursing Medusa into a "monstrous form" with "horrible snakes" in place of her hair.

A Greek mythology website states that Poseidon "couldn't resist the temptation and impregnated Medusa in a temple of Athena" as she was the only one of the Gorgon sisters who was born with admirable looks. This resulted in Athena transforming Medusa's "enchanting hair into a coil of serpents".

Some sources which tell the story of Medusa are not as censored, and instead focus on a more horrifying take of the mythology that proposes Medusa was sexually assaulted by Poseidon.

Vice News states how Medusa is a "multimodal image of intoxication, petrifaction, and luring attractiveness" due to her "snaky-tressed femme fatale, and a hideous decapitated head, spewing blood and gore.". In the Vice News page it is stated that Medusa's "beauty caught the eye of the sea god Poseidon, who proceeded to rape her in the sacred temple of Athena. Furious at the desecration of her temple, Athena transformed Medusa into a monster with the deadly capacity to turn whoever looked upon her face to stone." as she had "wild,snaky locks".

Medusa's mythological story told by Ovid was that she was "born a beautiful mortal and changed into a monster by Athena.". Ovid told the story from a perspective that Medusa was actually "raped by Poseidon in Athena’s temple so she was punished by Athena and given her hideous appearance.".

Medusa's adaptation in the "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Bolt" film