In Edith Hamilton’s retelling of the myth of Perseus, his story follows the three main stages of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey: Separation, Initiation, and Return. The Separation phase starts when Perseus is sent on a dangerous quest by King Polydectes to retrieve Medusa’s head. Perseus, who was once just an ordinary boy, is forced to leave his home and face a world full of monsters and challenges. Though he is unsure at first, he accepts the challenge with help from the gods, who give him special tools like a shield and winged sandals, which prepare him for the journey ahead.

In the Initiation phase, Perseus goes through several challenges that test his bravery. His biggest test comes when he faces Medusa, a creature whose gaze turns people