The curse of Medusa holds significant consequences, transforming her into a creature whose gaze turns people to stone. This transformation stems from punishment by the goddess Athena following Medusa's assault by Poseidon in the temple of Athena. Once beautiful, Medusa's new identity reflects themes of victimhood and the repercussions of divine wrath. Her curse serves as a metaphor for isolation and loss of agency, and the tragic nature of her story evokes sympathy for her plight, ultimately questioning the nature of beauty and power in mythology.