Ashes of a Hero
Ashes of a Fallen Hero
Jason, although often mistaken as an epic hero, portrays a tragic hero in the ancient Greek tragedy written by Euripides. To be a tragic hero, one must first be considered a hero with noble characteristics. In the prelude to Medea, Jason sets off into a quest in a ship full of noble heroes after the denial of his claim to royalty. Even with fate leaning heavily on the opponents’ side, Jason overcomes many trials lain before him in order to achieve his goals. He is portrayed as a strong, cunning hero, a man many would look up to. In contrast, it may seem that Jason should not be considered a hero due to the fact that Medea almost seems to play a larger role in obtaining the Golden Fleece. Nonetheless, Medea remains to be portrayed as the friendly, mentor-like character. Jason brings Medea home in marriage and fulfills the hero characteristic of being in love with a woman. Jason proves he is a hero in his initial characteristics and by being an heir to a royal kingdom.
What makes Jason tragic? All tragic heroes have, in one way or another, a flaw in their personality that ultimately leads to their downfall. Jason’s tragic flaw, like many epic heroes, is hubris. Hubris is defined as the state of having extreme pride or arrogance. Along with hubris, Jason carries with him the burden of ambition. For example, in the quest for the Golden Fleece, Jason, in his greed, almost seems to lose sight of the main focus of his quest when he begins to hunger for the glory of victory rather than his right to the kingdom. Jason also shows hubris when he argues that women in general are “useless” and “should not exist”, continuing to enrage Medea and disregard the gods. One may argue that flaws in character are also evident in epic heroes- the difference? Epic heroes can learn from their mistakes and act upon them accordingly. Jason, on the other hand, is oblivious to his own downfall and the play continues in a downwards spiral.
One may claim that Jason,
Jason, although often mistaken as an epic hero, portrays a tragic hero in the ancient Greek tragedy written by Euripides. To be a tragic hero, one must first be considered a hero with noble characteristics. In the prelude to Medea, Jason sets off into a quest in a ship full of noble heroes after the denial of his claim to royalty. Even with fate leaning heavily on the opponents’ side, Jason overcomes many trials lain before him in order to achieve his goals. He is portrayed as a strong, cunning hero, a man many would look up to. In contrast, it may seem that Jason should not be considered a hero due to the fact that Medea almost seems to play a larger role in obtaining the Golden Fleece. Nonetheless, Medea remains to be portrayed as the friendly, mentor-like character. Jason brings Medea home in marriage and fulfills the hero characteristic of being in love with a woman. Jason proves he is a hero in his initial characteristics and by being an heir to a royal kingdom.
What makes Jason tragic? All tragic heroes have, in one way or another, a flaw in their personality that ultimately leads to their downfall. Jason’s tragic flaw, like many epic heroes, is hubris. Hubris is defined as the state of having extreme pride or arrogance. Along with hubris, Jason carries with him the burden of ambition. For example, in the quest for the Golden Fleece, Jason, in his greed, almost seems to lose sight of the main focus of his quest when he begins to hunger for the glory of victory rather than his right to the kingdom. Jason also shows hubris when he argues that women in general are “useless” and “should not exist”, continuing to enrage Medea and disregard the gods. One may argue that flaws in character are also evident in epic heroes- the difference? Epic heroes can learn from their mistakes and act upon them accordingly. Jason, on the other hand, is oblivious to his own downfall and the play continues in a downwards spiral.
One may claim that Jason,