JASON AND MEDEA
Jason swearing Eternal Affection to Medea, Jean-François de Troy, 1742-3, oil on canvas, 56.5 x 52.1 cm. Wine, Humphrey, National Gallery Catalogues: The Eighteenth Century French Paintings, London 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9GMb70qz0
Rise of the Argonauts Xbox 360 Trailer - Finale | May 18, 2011| Xbox 360 version of the game Rise of the Argonauts are primarily held by the developer, Liquid Entertainment, and the publisher, Codemasters
Makayla Martin
In the following essay I aim to explain the main elements of Jean-François de Troy’s piece Jason Swearing Eternal Affection to Medea. As well as discuss the Gender norms that are reflected in this myth. In the piece we are able to see Jason and Medea at what some may call the peak of their story filled with love and tragedy. The painting is part of a seven part series of illustrations of the capturing of the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Done via oil on canvas in 1679 this painting remains in London’s Natural Gallery. Jason was a hero that was set off on a quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from King Aeetes of Colchis by King Pelias. Medea, the princess of Colchis, Aeetes’s daughter, a powerful sorceress who had learned about the magical arts from the goddess Hecate.
In myth Jason and the Argonauts arrive at Colchis and face Aeetes and plead for the Golden Fleece. Aeetes accept on one condition that he complete a series of challenges. That were basically impossible for Jason to complete on his own. Because of this goddess of marriage and family, Hera, who had a “bad history” with Pelias, speaks to Aphrodite asking for her to speak to Ero’s a.k.a cupid to strike Medea in order to help Jason in the Quest. Struck with love Medea is left with an impossible decision, to betray her family and help Jason on his quest of the Golden Fleece or to betray the new found love of her life. Compelled with love she couldn’t fathom not helping Jason on his quest. Even if that meant betraying her family and killing her own brother.
In lesson 4, video #1 We learn about Eros, we learn that he is born from chaos and has been depicted as the son of Aphrodite. In lesson 4, video #2, we learn about the goddess Hecate, the sorceress that taught Medea herbal magic. We also learn that she always carries torches as a symbol of lighting the way. We are able to see this in the image I chose. As Jason and Medea are painted at Hecate’s altar. Medea knew that if she helped Jason anymore she would get caught betraying her family. This is where we see a fourth important element which is Ero’s in the upper left corner. He is symbolized by the bow and arrow, which in the painting is directed towards Jason. Medea only asked for one thing in exchange for her help which was eternal love. He then proceeds to propose to her then and there. Later in myth he breaks this promise even though he had sworn on it having Zeus of Olympus as his witness.
In my own perspective I would argue that this story reflects broader societal gender norms. The story is a play on power dynamics in relationships, classic male hero, female mistress storyline. Medea is portrayed as emotional and vengeful while Jason is a “hero”. The painting reflects these power dynamics in such a poetic way, Jason is pleading for her help almost on his knees while Medea is standing tall. There is a beautiful duality between the painting and the myth which is the portrayal of Jason needing Medea yet Medea somehow is the one who was left in the end. After Jason had the Golden Fleece and her help was no longer needed. I think as a whole it is a reflection of normative gender roles as well as the reaction we get when a woman strays from the expected. Jason plays a dominant role, he calls the shots and has social status, Medea starts in a submissive role where she is compelled to do anything Jason needs. After the betrayal Medea goes against all these norms and refuses to remain quiet she is enraged and wants vengeance.
Biru Thang In Liquid Entertainment’s Rise of the Argonauts, the Greek heroine Jason is depicted as a heroic king and warrior, deeply driven by love and vengeance to resurrect his wife, Alceme, as she was murdered on their wedding day. Liquid Entertainment’s piece is a different adaptation of Jason’s journey for the golden fleece as known in Greek mythology, but carries similar traits. It originally came out for Xbox 360, but now you can play it on Playstation 3 and PC as well. The game blends Greek mythology with action-RPG mechanics, and it focuses heavily on narrative, moral decisions. This game adaptation of Jason and his journey for the golden fleece shows the aspects of fate and choices, also will show the differences and similarities between this game and traditional Greek mythology.
Jason was a hero in Greek mythology. He was son of Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcus (Centreofexcellence, 2024). In this adaptation, Jason quests for the golden fleece to resurrect his wife, Alceme, believing its power can bring her back from the dead. A lot of the game shows heroism and divine intervention. While Jason leads the Argonauts, a band of legendary heroes, his success relies heavily on favor and power granted by the Greek gods. The game emphasizes the interplay of fate and human choice in shaping the adventure. During his adventure, Jason faces numerous trails, and each choice he makes influences his character development and the path of the story. Along the way, there are many relationships between characters (Samatas, 2010).
The concept of Greek fate, the idea that destiny is both inescapable and guided by the gods, played a central thematic and gameplay role in Rise of the Argonaut. Shows how a hero meets his fate defines his legacy. Jason is fated to journey, but what choices he makes and the path he takes along the way is ultimately up to the players (Fandom, 2025). We see that Jason’s destiny is preordained but still shaped by choice. Jason’s quest is born out of grief and the desire to defy death, bring his wife back to life, is carried throughout by characters warning Jason of the dangers of tampering with fate. This part of the gameplay made me reflect on Orpheus back during Lesson 6 forum post three. We saw that Orpheus’ talent for music and lyre playing had deep symbolic and cultural significance to the Greeks. Orpheus’ music was divine power, reflecting the Greek idea that music wasn’t just a sound but a sacred force that bridges humans and the divine. When Orpheus journeyed to the Underworld to retrieve Eurydice, he ultimately failed, highlighting a tragic truth the Greeks understood that even the greatest has limits. As fate in Greek reminds us, no matter how gifted or strong-willed you are, humans will still submit to fate (La Fond, Lesson 6 Lecture #2). In Rise of the Argonauts, Alceme is ultimately brought back to life but we know consequences will follow even as the game doesn’t show. This didn’t follow the Greek tragedy of heading against fate, with many criticisms of the ending of Jason and Alceme kissing. Going against the flow of fate causes many consequences, especially carrying out the action in how it was originally supposed to. One criticism I have as well was the game didn’t depict Jason’s fate or death after he resurrected Alceme. Greek mythology would align this action for a deeper payoff towards Jason for defying fate.
Medea plays a major supporting role in the story and gameplay, though her role is very different from her traditional mythological counterpart. The game strips the romantic aspects of Medea and Jason as told in the myths, players can further continue this aspect but not as influential as the myth. Main differences between Mythological and Rise of the Argonauts Medea is the relationship to Jason, morality and her character development.
WORKS CITED
Fandom. “Jason.” Rise of the Argonauts Wiki, Fandom, Inc., 2020, riseoftheargonauts.fandom.com/wiki/Jason?
La Fond, Marie. “Video #3: Magical Mystery Tour: Orpheus and Orphism.” Uw.edu, Marie La Fond, 2025, canvas.uw.edu/courses/1810493/pages/lesson-6-video-lectures?module_item_id=23927963
La Fond, Marie. Lesson 4 “Video #1: Immortal Beloved: Aphrodite” Uw.edu, Marie La Fond, 2025, https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1810493/pages/lesson-4-video-lectures?module_item_id=23927950
“The Story of Jason and the Argonauts in Greek Mythology: Themes and Lessons - Centre of Excellence.” Centreofexcellence.com, 6 Aug. 2024, www.centreofexcellence.com/jason-and-the-argonauts/.
Troy, Jean-François de. “Jean-François de Troy, ‘Jason Swearing Eternal Affection to Medea’, 1742-3.” Jean-François de Troy | Jason Swearing Eternal Affection to Medea | NG6330 | National Gallery, London, 1 Mar. 1742, www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jean-francois-de-troy-jason-swearing-eternal-affection-to-medea.
Williams, Bethany. “The Story of Jason & Medea: Love, Witchcraft & Betrayal.” TheCollector, 29 May 2025, www.thecollector.com/jason-and-medea-myth/.
Yannis Samatas. "Jason =and the Argonauts: The Myth of the Golden Fleece." greekmyths-greekmythology.com, 1 May. 2010. Updated 28 May. 2025, https://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/jason-and-the-argonauts/.