Metamorphoses · Chapter
Story of Medea and Jason explained
Jason arrives at Colchos to claim the Golden Fleece, and Medea, the king's daughter, falls deeply in love with him.
What happens
Jason arrives at Colchos to claim the Golden Fleece, and Medea, the king's daughter, falls deeply in love with him. Torn between duty and desire, she ultimately uses her magic to help him overcome the fire-breathing bulls, the earthborn warriors, and the sleepless dragon. Jason secures the fleece, and Medea flees with him to Greece, becoming his bride.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Desire
Medea's internal conflict between reason and passion drives the narrative; her love for Jason overcomes her loyalty to family and country.
Transformation and Metamorphosis
Medea's magical spells transform the natural order—taming bulls, raising warriors from the earth, and putting the dragon to sleep.
Divine Power and Human Folly
Medea's magic, derived from Hecate, allows her to defy mortal limits, but her choices lead to tragic consequences.
Characters to notice
- Jason
The hero who leads the Argonauts to Colchos to retrieve the Golden Fleece; wins Medea's love and aid.
- Medea
The Colchian princess and sorceress who falls in love with Jason, helps him overcome trials, and flees with him.
- Pelias
The usurper who commands Jason to retrieve the Golden Fleece, hoping to destroy him.
- Aeetes
King of Colchos and Medea's father; sets impossible tasks for Jason.
- Hector
Mentioned indirectly as part of the Grecian heroes; not central to this chapter.
Key passages
“I see the right, and I approve it too, Condemn the wrong, and yet—the wrong pursue.”
Medea recognizes the moral path but is compelled by love to choose the opposite.
Highlights her internal struggle between reason and passion.
“As fire, that sleeping under ashes lies, Fresh blown, and roused, does up in blazes rise, So flamed the virgin’s breast— New kindled by her lover’s sparkling eyes.”
Medea's dormant love reignites intensely upon seeing Jason again.
Uses fire imagery to depict the resurgence of her passion.
“The passive savages like statues stand, While he their dewlaps strokes with soothing hand; To unknown yokes their brawny necks they yield, And, like tame oxen, plough the wond’ring field.”
Jason, aided by Medea's magic, effortlessly tames the fire-breathing bulls.
Illustrates the power of enchantment over nature.