PerseusPerseus

Common MotifsCommon Motifs

What is a motif?What is a motif?

A motif is an idea in literature A motif is an idea in literature that is repeated again and that is repeated again and again.again.

Abandoned Baby Examples:Abandoned Baby Examples:

Danae and Perseus are cast adrift in a Danae and Perseus are cast adrift in a chest because Acrisius fears his fate.chest because Acrisius fears his fate.

In the Biblical story, Moses is left in a In the Biblical story, Moses is left in a basket in the river but is rescued by the basket in the river but is rescued by the Pharaoh’s daughter.Pharaoh’s daughter.

Atalanta is left to die but is rescued by a Atalanta is left to die but is rescued by a she-bear.she-bear.

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Maiden in Distress Examples:Maiden in Distress Examples:

Perseus saved Andromeda from the Perseus saved Andromeda from the monster.monster.

Arthurian knight legendsArthurian knight legends Orpheus’ attempt to rescue EurydiceOrpheus’ attempt to rescue Eurydice Gatsby’s belief that Daisy needed rescuing Gatsby’s belief that Daisy needed rescuing

from a bad marriage in from a bad marriage in The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby..

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Hero as Dragon-Slayer Examples:Hero as Dragon-Slayer Examples:

Perseus slays Medusa and the monster.Perseus slays Medusa and the monster. Arthurian legends like Lancelot and the Arthurian legends like Lancelot and the

dragondragon Beowulf killing Grendel and othersBeowulf killing Grendel and others Harry PotterHarry Potter

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Task Examples:Task Examples:

Perseus journeys to the Nymphs of the Perseus journeys to the Nymphs of the North and outwits the Gray Women.North and outwits the Gray Women.

Cinderella’s task of separating the Cinderella’s task of separating the grains…ants and birds help hergrains…ants and birds help her

Jason’s sowing of the Dragon’s teethJason’s sowing of the Dragon’s teeth Pysche’s tasks to win Cupid backPysche’s tasks to win Cupid back Harry Potter’s search for the horcruxesHarry Potter’s search for the horcruxes

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