In Search of the Argonauts: The Remarkable History of Jason and the Golden Fleece

Description

Few classical stories are as exciting as that of Jason and the Golden Fleece. The legend of the boy, who discovers a new identity as son of a usurped king and leads a crew of demi-gods and famous heroes, has resonated through the ages, rumbling like the clashing rocks, which almost pulverised the Argo. The myth and its reception inspires endless engagements: while it tells of a quest to the ends of the earth, of the tyrants Pelias and Aetes, of dragons’ teeth, of the loss of Hylas (beloved of Hercules) stolen away by nymphs, and of Jason’s seduction of the powerful witch Medea (later betrayed for a more useful princess), it speaks to us of more: of gender and sexuality; of heroism and lost integrity; of powerful gods and terrifying monsters; of identity and otherness; of exploration and exploitation. The Argonauts are emblems of collective heroism, yet also of the emptiness of glory. From Pindar to J. W. Waterhouse, Apollonius of Rhodes to Ray Harryhausen, and Robert Graves to Mary Zimmerman, the Argonaut myth has produced later interpretations as rich, salty and complex as the ancient versions. Helen Lovatt here unravels, like untangled sea-kelp, the diverse strands of the narrative and its numerous and fascinating afterlives. Her book will prove both informative and endlessly entertaining to those who love classical literature and myth. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Illustrations Acknowledgements Versions, Texts and Abbreviations 1 Back-stories and Beginnings The shape of the Argonaut tradition Myth and reception Eight landmark versions Beginnings The Argonauts Assemble Itinerary 2 Femininity and Sexuality Atalanta the Argonaut Lemnian horror Abducting Hylas Redeeming Medea Conclusions 3 Masculinity and Leadership Hercules and the Argonauts Mutiny and leadership Amycus and antagonists Conclusion 4 Entertainment and the Marvellous Phineus and the Harpies The Clashing Rocks Representing gods: Hera and Athena Monsters and the monstrous 5 Ethnicity and Otherness Aeetes, the Colchians, Otherness and ethnicity Black Colchians Ethnography and travel Conclusion 6 Heroism and Betrayal Bulls and Earthborns Defeating the dragon Betraying Apsyrtus Conclusion 7 Quest and Fleece Rationalizing the voyage Voyage as symbol Rationalizing the Golden Fleece Golden Fleece as symbol Conclusion 8 Findings and Endings Notes References Index