Gorgons's Island

The Gorgons live on an island on the north coast of Africa. The island is located "on the shores of Libya" (18). At the start of the novel, the narrator explains that the Gorgons live "in a cave as far from humankind" as they can (18). This is not because they fear the mortals. Rather, it is simply the place "they chose" to live and people have in turn chosen to avoid it (18). For years, the Gorgon sisters Sthenno and Euryale live here by themselves. Then one day, their parents, Ceto and Phorcys, deposit a mortal sister, Medusa, on the shores of their island.

Over the course of the novel, the Gorgons grow closer while sharing this island home together. However, after Poseidon rapes Medusa and Athene punishes her for defiling her temple, Medusa descends into despair, spending the majority of her time in the cave. Later, Perseus finds...