Perseus and Medusa (From Illuminate)
a retelling of the Greek myth
Perseus, son of Zeus, was half-mortal and half-god. His courageous and brave exploits were well known throughout the land, but he was perhaps most famous for how he came to possess the head of the gorgon Medusa.
When Perseus was still a young man, King Polydectes sought to be rid of him, as he was a significant obstacle in the king’s desire to marry Perseus’s mother. In an effort to send Perseus as far away as possible, Polydectes told Perseus to kill the gorgon Medusa and return with her head.
The gorgons were three sisters. They were once beautiful maidens whom Poseidon had transformed into horrific monsters when Medusa rejected the god’s love. Poseidon turned the sisters into terrible creatures. He made their bodies grotesque and replaced their hair with poisonous snakes. The god allowed Medusa to keep her beautiful face, but anyone who dared to look at her would immediately be turned to stone.
Perseus had no way of finding Medusa, who lived at the end of the world, so he asked the gods Athena and Hermes for help. They came to his aid because he was the son of Zeus, and bestowed upon him four powerful gifts. Among these gifts were winged sandals to carry Perseus to Medusa’s lair, a cap that would make Perseus invisible, a sword to kill Medusa, and a mirrored shield. The shield would allow Perseus to see Medusa’s face without looking directly at her, preventing him from being turned to stone. Athena advised Perseus to use his gifts wisely and to practice patience and logic in order to achieve his task.
Perseus donned the winged sandals and flew to slay Medusa. Using his cap, he entered her lair and surveyed his surroundings. Suddenly, he heard a noise from behind him. Athena’s cautionary words echoed softly in the air, and Perseus resisted the urge to turn toward the noise. Instead, he stepped to the side and used his mirrored shield to find the source of the noise. In the mirror, he saw the monstrous figure of Medusa slowly walking toward him. Steadying himself, Perseus patiently lay in wait as Medusa moved closer and closer behind him. Never did he turn, for he feared he would gaze into the gorgon’s eyes and forever be turned to stone.
Finally, Medusa stood immediately behind Perseus; he knew that now was the time to strike. With all his strength, he swung blindly. When he looked into his mirrored shield, there lay Medusa’s head. With the help of the gods, Perseus had slain Medusa.
Question: Which sentence from the fourth paragraph of "Perseus and Medusa" creates suspense?
(1 point)
Responses
Using his cap, he entered her lair and surveyed his surroundings.
Using his cap, he entered her lair and surveyed his surroundings.
Steadying himself, Perseus patiently lay in wait as Medusa moved closer and closer behind him.
Steadying himself, Perseus patiently lay in wait as Medusa moved closer and closer behind him.
Instead, he stepped to the side and used his mirrored shield to find the source of the noise.
Instead, he stepped to the side and used his mirrored shield to find the source of the noise.
Perseus donned the winged sandals and flew to slay Medusa.
1 answer
The sentence that creates suspense from the fourth paragraph of "Perseus and Medusa" is:
Steadying himself, Perseus patiently lay in wait as Medusa moved closer and closer behind him.
This sentence builds tension by illustrating the imminent danger Perseus faces as Medusa approaches him without his having looked directly at her.
