It occurs to me that, amongst other things, the basilisk and the Gorgon correspond to two distinct theories of vision. The basilisk kills with its gaze, and thus represents eyes as transmitters. The Gorgon kills with its appearance, and thus treats eyes as receivers.

(These two theories aren't necessarily rival. It was once believed that eyes both transmitted and received in the process of vision.)

Tags: basilisk, Gorgon, random thoughts, vision

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