Content area
Full Text
Abstract. The issue of Jason's character in Apollonius Rhodius' Argonautica has attracted considerable controversy. Jason has been accused of being indecisive, passive and manipulative. However, Jason's behavior appears to be motivated by the same considerations that govern Stoic ethical thought. A Stoic interpretation of Jason reveals consistency in his actions, provides explanations for his decisions, and contributes to the unity of the epic. It also counters Jason's negative reputation by offering a philosophical basis for his actions.
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)
No aspect of the Argonautica has attracted more scholarly attention during the past several decades than the question of Jason's character: his heroism or the lack of it.1 Recent discussions by Hunter and Jackson suggest that the issue is still of interest to Apollonian scholars;2 however, no resolution that professes to satisfy problems inherent in the text has been generally accepted. Is Jason a hero or is he not? Is he the only hero or one among many?3 Is he of epic type or does he represent the New Hellenistic Man? Is his treatment of his crew, of women in general, of Medea in particular, laudable? Is he cowardly, meek and uncertain,4 or is he self-assuredly restrained and rational? To these must be added another question: are the problems that scholars find with Jason's depiction designed by the author to make this character ultimately unappealing for readers, or are they not really problems at all in the context of Hellenistic thought?5 Inconsistency in narrative style, characterization, development of the literary tradition, and presentation of other themes, such as elements of ancient religion and myth, is a common aspect of Apollonius' technique and has been defended as a 'deliberate shattering of received norms.'6 From this perspective, divergences in the depiction of Jason's character may be a product of the author's design and, far from expressing a lack of coherence, may instead serve a specific, albeit non-traditional, purpose. There is still room for new interpretations from different views that might reveal an unusual type of consistency within the epic.
In general, Jason has been considered to be the hero of the epic, although he is admittedly a hero with weaknesses and faults. He does share his authority on occasion, but no other character...