Use Of Perseus The Hero In Ovid's Metamorphoses '

Joseph Dowdall

Mr. Nurre

English 1

9 October 2015

Perseus the Hero

In the story “Perseus and Andromeda” in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Ovid uses Perseus to show society's expectation of how a charming man has an obligation to save a “damsel in distress.” Ovid begins by telling the reader that the Sun has just risen and Perseus has been getting ready for the day; Ovid starts describing Perseus by the way he dresses: strapping on his wings, and proceeding to arm himself with a sword. This wayof describing the hero connects with Ovid’s previous portrayal of Perseus as a hero. Next, The author gives some foreshadow into what will happen by showing that Perseus notices the Cepheus’ kingdom. Ovid introduces the kingdom for two reasons. First, it explains that an unjust being named Ammon had condemned an innocent Andromeda for her mother’s speech. Second, it preludes Perseus’ discovery of Andromeda, by showing the kingdom around her. Following the description of the kingdom, Perseus notices Andromeda chained on a cliff with tears in her

Perseus shows his proud opinion of himself when he tells Andromeda: “There will be time enough for weeping, by and by-but brief indeed the time in which bold actions may succeed” (Ovid 952-954). Upon first glance, Perseus appears to be bold and appears to be trying to rescue Andromeda for moral reasons; however, when taking in to account Perseus’ intentions, it becomes clear that he uses her as a means to end. Specifically, Perseus cares less about Andromeda on her own, and more about what he can use her to get. Perseus shows his disregard for Andromeda by bypassing her opinion and going directly to Andromeda’s parents to ask for marriage. Perseus says to Cepheus and Cassiopeia: “the deal is she's mine if I can save her” (Ovid 964). Perseus shows a blatant disregard for the wants of Andromeda and acts out of his own