Annabeth Chase: Percy, don’t. She’s a monster.
Medusa: We all choose who we make our monsters.
Where does this quote come from? (Source)
This quote comes from a TV series ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’. The scene where this moment comes from is in Season 1 Episode 3, with the title of ‘We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium’ (1×03). Percy Jackson is based on a book series of the same name written by Rick Riordan. The series Percy Jackson and the Olympians is produced by Disney Branded Television and 20th Television (Disney+)
- TV Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023)
- Season: 1
- Episode: 3
- Episode Name: We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium
- Production: Disney Branded Television, 20th Television (Disney+)
Why we collected this quote
We included this because it challenges the traditional villain narrative. It forces the audience (and the trio) to see Medusa’s perspective.
What does this quote mean? (Meaning & Context)
Annabeth calls Medusa a monster, but Medusa pushes back. She implies that “monster” is a label given by those in power (like Athena) to justify their cruelty. It suggests that good and evil depend on who is telling the story.
Book vs TV Series
When we meet Medusa (Aunty Em) in the book, she’s all about raw vengeance against Athena. The show gives her a deeper, more philosophical role by using this quote. Medusa uses her pain to offer a critique of power, suggesting that the label of “monster” is a judgment arbitrarily assigned by the authorities, the gods. This quote helps enhance the show’s theme of questioning divine authority and highlights that the gods are flawed rulers.
