The Characters of Legend

Colum's retelling of the Golden Fleece saga aims to breathe life into the figures of Jason, Heracles, Medea, and their legendary companions. At the heart of this epic stands Jason, depicted by Colum as a man consumed by a thirst for glory yet easily swayed by the allure of pleasure and ease. Jason emerges as inherently fragile, often propelled by a fear that is seldom showcased in the heroes of classical tales. His uncle Pelias, through veiled words, dares Jason to retrieve the Golden Fleece—the cherished treasure of King Aeetes, sovereign of the distant realm of Colchis. Thus, Jason embarks on the daring voyage aboard the Argo, joined by a troupe of gallant champions, chief among them the formidable Heracles.

In contrast, Heracles stands as a paragon of unwavering strength and relentless determination. Colum paints a vivid picture of this mighty hero, whose steadfastness shines even more brightly against Jason's frailty. Yet, when it comes to female characters, Colum's portrayals falter; the enchantress Medea captivates in a way that Queen Hypsipyle of Lemnos does not. Medea, the king's daughter, stakes everything to aid Jason in seizing her father's coveted Golden Fleece. Through Medea, Colum explores the complex shades of a woman driven by a destructive passion and ambition, ultimately shaping her own ruin and that of others around her.

The Quest for Glory

"It is our doom that we must never cease from labor and that we must very quickly grow old." Through these words, Colum shifts focus in his work, The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles, from the individual exploits of Jason to the broader notion of heroism. The earliest chroniclers of Greek culture believed in a bygone era of valor, populated by figures like Jason and his Argonauts. These heroes lived for the thrill of action—where combat and honor intertwined. Aspiring heroes deemed it worthier to embrace a brief, illustrious existence than an extended, unremarkable one doomed to obscurity. Reflective of this mindset, Jason, despite recognizing the peril of the Golden Fleece quest, cannot resist its call.

The Ethics of Heroism

Within the tapestry of heroism, respect for hierarchical ties, hospitality, kindness, and compassion were expected virtues. Yet, the pursuit of personal glory sometimes clashed with societal norms. This tension is the lens through which Colum probes into Jason's intricate character, unraveling the essence of true heroism.

The Island of Temptation

Early in their odyssey, the Argonauts touch the shores of Lemnos, an island ruled solely by women. What begins as a planned brief respite transforms when the women embrace them, taking several as lovers. Jason's fleeting romance with Queen Hypsipyle leaves her behind, heavy with child. His unapologetic words, "On the Quest of the Golden Fleece our lives and our honors depend. To Colchis— to Colchis must we go!" mark a recurring flaw in Jason’s character. Later, his betrayal of Medea—whom he crowns his queen—for Glauce, the princess of Corinth, foretells his downfall. Medea's vengeance is swift and severe as she unleashes a dragon's deadly foam upon Glauce, ending her life in Jason's very arms.

The Divine and the Mortal

Colum also delves into the intricate dance between gods and mortals, a cornerstone theme of Greek mythos. The Olympians, superior in strength, wisdom, and allure, were notorious for their fierce anger when disrespected. Aspiring to stand as equals to the gods branded one with hubris, the gravest of transgressions. The tale of Prometheus, doomed to eternal torment for gifting fire to mankind against Zeus's decree, starkly illustrates the severe fates awaiting those who dared to defy the divine.