Myths often teach truths and provide insights about human behavior and relationships as well as human ideas about the world. The myth of Jason and the golden fleece offers many of these kinds of reflections. Let's look at a few.

We can certainly draw many psychological insights from this myth just by looking at the characters' motivations and interactions with each other. Think about how Pelias uses Jason, for instance. He tricks his nephew into coming up with a plan to keep someone away and then uses Jason's own ideas against him. Pelias is threatened by Jason and wants to get rid of him for good, but he is clever in doing so, making Jason think that he is going on a spectacular quest. Think also about Jason's motivations and the motivations of the men who accompany him. They are out for adventure and glory and are quite heedless of the danger. This tells us a lot about the human psyche.

We can also glean some historical insights from this myth, especially about the power dynamics of the ancient world. Pelias overthrows his own brother (Jason's father, Aeson) and takes the throne in Iolcos. Then, finally, after proving himself on a long quest (with much help that later he doesn't want to admit to), Jason claims the throne for himself. We learn that kingship in the ancient world was often far from stable.

Metaphysically, we can reflect on how Jason's overcoming of the various challenges during his quest can symbolize the human need to overcome both physical and spiritual challenges in life. Further, Medea, who helps Jason and eventually marries him, is a sorceress who has access to all kinds of supernatural resources that also symbolize various human abilities and the desire for human beings to reach beyond themselves (for better or for worse).

Finally, we can ponder this myth in a sociological sense to receive some insights into human society. Marriage and family stand at the forefront here. Jason's mother, for some reason we never discover, is not in the picture, and we wonder what has become of her. Jason does not even grow up with his father but is raised by the centaur Chiron. Jason knows little about living in a family, and that may help explain why Jason and Medea don't have the world's best relationship. Jason essentially uses Medea to accomplish his quest, marries her as he promised, and then dumps her when he finds someone he likes better. Indeed, this myth does not paint a rosy picture of marriage and family life in the ancient world.