The Myth of Jason and Medea
The Early Years:
1. Who is Jason? the son of the lawful king of Iolcus
2. Who is Pelias? usurped the throne. Pelias lived in constant fear of losing what he had taken so unjustly
3. What did Pelias do to Jason’s father? He kept Jason's father a prisoner
4. What would he have probably have done to Jason when he was born? would certainly have murdered Jason at birth
5. How did Jason’s mother save Jason’s life? Jason's mother deceived Pelias by mourning as if Jason had died
6. Where did Jason grow up? the infant was bundled off to the wilderness cave of Chiron the Centaur
7. Who was his teacher? Chiron the centaur
8. What did he teach Jason? ore of plants, the hunt and the civilized arts
The First Test:
1. Who is Hera? Wife of Zeus
2. Why does she have a grudge against Pelias? He had honored all the gods but Hera. Rashly had he begrudged the Queen of Heaven her due. Hera's plan was fraught with danger; it would require a true hero.
3. What test did Hera contrive to test Jason’s mettle? she contrived it that he came to a raging torrent on his way to Iolcus.
The Oracle’s Warning
1. What was the result of the test? Jason set off into the current carrying an old woman who turned out to be Hera, herself
2. What did Jason lose in the swift-moving stream? A sandal
3. Why was losing this item significant? For an oracle had warned King Pelias, "Beware a stranger who wears but a single sandal."
4. What did Jason do when he arrived in Iolcus? he asserted his claim to the throne, but his uncle Pelias had no intention of giving it up
The Challenge
1. In your own words, what does the “under the guise of hospitality” mean? Being falsely kind but about to deceive Jason
2. What quest did Pelias give Jason? Sent him to Golden Fleece
3. How did he come up with this idea? Jason told him that if someone was giving him difficulties while ruling he would send them there
The Argonauts...