1. Perseus Common Motifs

2. What is a motif? A motif is an idea in literature that is repeated again and again.

3. Abandoned Baby Examples:  Danae and Perseus are cast adrift in a chest because Acrisius fears his fate.  In the Biblical story, Moses is left in a basket in the river but is rescued by the Pharaoh’s daughter.  Atalanta is left to die but is rescued by a she-bear. ___________________________________

4. Maiden in Distress Examples:  Perseus saved Andromeda from the monster.  Arthurian knight legends  Orpheus’ attempt to rescue Eurydice  Gatsby’s belief that Daisy needed rescuing from a bad marriage in The Great Gatsby. ___________________________________

5. Hero as Dragon-Slayer Examples:  Perseus slays Medusa and the monster.  Arthurian legends like Lancelot and the dragon  Beowulf killing Grendel and others  Harry Potter ___________________________________

6. Task Examples:  Perseus journeys to the Nymphs of the North and outwits the Gray Women.  Cinderella’s task of separating the grains…ants and birds help her  Jason’s sowing of the Dragon’s teeth  Pysche’s tasks to win Cupid back  Harry Potter’s search for the horcruxes ___________________________________