| Danae | |
|---|---|
 "Zeus!?" | |
|
Species |
Human |
|
Alignment |
Good |
|
Origin |
Argos |
|
Relatives |
Acrisius (Father, 1981 version/Husband, 2010 version) |
|
Status |
Deceased |
|
Appearances |
(1981) Clash of the Titans |
Danae is a major character of Clash of the Titans. She was portrayed by Vida Taylor in the 1981 film and by Tine Stapelfeldt in the 2010 remake.
Mythology[]
In Greek mythology, Danae was a daughter of King Acrisius of Argos and Eurydice (no relation to Orpheus' Eurydice). She was the mother of Perseus by Zeus. She was sometimes credited with founding the city of Ardea in Latium.
Disappointed by his lack of male heirs, Acrisius asked an oracle if this would change. The oracle told him to go to the Earth's end where he would be killed by his daughter's son. She was childless and, meaning to keep her so, he shut her up in a bronze tower or cave. But Zeus came to her in the form of golden rain, and impregnated her. Soon after, their child Perseus was born.
It was for this very reason why Danae was sacrificed by King Acrisius, as a payback to Zeus for impregnating her. Zeus, as a payback to King Acrisius, transformed him into a monster.
History[]
Clash of the Titans (1981)[]
In the original 1981 film, Danae's role differs little from her mythological counterpart, although King Polydectes and his forcing her into marriage are not part of the film's plot.
Clash of the Titans (2010)[]
In the 2010 remake, Danae's role is altered significantly. She is still the mother of Perseus, but she is the wife of Acrisius rather than his daughter and perishes whilst she and the infant Perseus are at sea (though the exact cause of her death is not revealed).