Chapter Eight – Myth & Revenge
Andy Gurevich
In addition to some pretty horrific events that take place in Medea, the way the characters of Jason and Medea degenerate is pretty profound. It has all the making of a Greek Tragedy.
Aristotle set out the characteristics and requirements for tragedy in The Poetics. The intention of a tragedy is to bring about a feeling of pity and fear in the audience which leads to the purging of powerful emotions.
A good tragedy causes us to place ourselves in the place of the tragic hero, and evaluate the reasons for his downfall. The hero is usually someone above the ordinary man—he is a part god, or super hero. His position and his fall remind us that no one is exempt from those great flaws in character that cause a downfall.
For the Greeks one of the great character flaws is pride, overbearing pride, hubris, the Greeks called it. It is a pride that causes the hero to think he is like the gods.
Does Jason fill this bill? If you remember Jason’s first words once the Golden Fleece was in his hands was “What a great prize I have won!” In fact, he did very little to gain the fleece. He quickly forgets about all Medea has done. She has to remind him, and he realizes he still needs her help to escape from Colchis and Aeetes.
Chapter 1
Early on, Medea realizes the truth about Jason, but she continues to help him, with horrifying results. What does Medea do as they are escaping from Aeetes and his fleet? What is the meaning of the goddess Athena’s words? It’s not in this version, but in trying to return to Greece, the Argos traveled all over, lost, for years. The return voyage bears several similarities to the places in the Odyssey. Here is a copy of a map of Jason’s travels (there are several variations).
In order to be safe, Medea must be married to Jason so the king of Phaeacia will protect her from Aeetes. A quick wedding is prepared and Hera blesses their union.
Chapter 2
When Jason is back in Iolcus, he must take revenge on Pelias. This is all part of Hera’s scheme to punish Pelias. Again, Medea takes the lead. In an ironic and cruel plot, Medea uses her powers on Pelias the same way she did on Jason. If Medea is aware of Jason’s falseness and self-centeredness, why does she continue to help him? Hera is pleased with the outcome; she has her revenge on Pelias. Take note of what Hera does now that her plot has come to fruition.
Chapter 3
The son of Pelias, Acastus, is now the king of Iolcus. He was also one of the Argonauts and friend to Jason. He is another person between a rock and a hard place. The law gives him leave to kill Jason and Medea, but he can’t, so he banishes them. They have no home, but come to Corinth where they are accepted by King Creon. For ten years they live happily, having two sons.
We are told by the Apollonius that Medea wore the crown of modesty on her head. So what causes this happiness to come unraveled? Medea’s only flaw here is that she grew old. Jason is disgusted by Medea and seeks ou