Heroes And Heroines
Who is more heroic: Jason or Perseus? Please use at least one textual quotation to support your response, reference the heroic elements, and react to the commentary of your peers.
posted by Greg T @ 6:46 AM
17 Comments
17 Comments:
I think that Perseus is more heroic out of the two. Even though he did have a lot of help from the gods Hermes and Athena, he still provided strength and courage in order to complete his quest and come back alive. I feel that he appreciated the help he was given. Unlike Jason who practically just used the help only for himself and then he trashed the people who had helped him such as Medea. She gave up a lot for Jason and the way he repayed her was brutal. He exiled in the end and I think he got what he deserved. Even though Jason wasn't really helped by the gods as much as Perseus, Jason still had Medea whose magic saved him many a time. But both of their quests would probably not have been possible without the help of the more powerful people. Perseus and Jason both needed a ton of assistance in order to come back safely. But I still thind that Perseus was the more heroic one just because it seemed like he followed the Heroic Code more than Jason did. Perseus had a very good guest/host relationship with Polydectes and overcame evils that hurt other people that he cared about such as his mother and Andromeda. Perseus cared about people and didn't just do things for his own good but for everyones. "Then before any could look away he held up the Gorgon's head; and at the sight one and all, the cruel King and his cruel servile courtiers, were turned into stone. ... When the islanders knew themselves freed from the tyrant it was easy for Perseus to find Danae and Dictys." (Pg 208). This action showed that he saved many people from the crulety of the evil king and did this action for everyone's good and not just his own. Perseus is the more heroic of the two because of the way he used his triumph and treated his people after his journey had been completed.
I also think that Perseus is the more heroic. He was not nearly as hybris as Jason was and he seemed to actually care about the cause for more reasons that just himself. He and Andromeda were in love which seems more heroic that Jason who did his adventure just to make his reputation good. Probably the best example of Perseus being more heroic is when he cuts Medusa's head off. Although Jason had to get past the serpant to get to the golden fleece, he never actually had to use anything because someone else lulled the beast to sleep. Perseus actually had to do his own slaying. Also the end for Perseus is more heroic. Jason tried to kill the woman he once loved and Perseus ended up with the one he loved.
I also agree that Perseus is the more heroic. He accomplished a great feat, he saved his love, and he stood up for what was right. Unlike Jason, Persues did all of those things without resorting to cruelty and ruthlessness of Jason. Perseus set out to achieve something that would not only benefit him, but his mother as well. He brought back the head of Medusa and turned King Polydectes and his court into stone, which saved his mother from having to marry the cruel king. Perseus put things on the island right and returned home to try and see if he could befriend Acrisius. "He made Dictys king of the island, but he and his mother decided they would go back with Andromedato Greece and try to be reconciled with Acrisius." Even though the oracle did come true and Perseus killed Acrisius he at least tried to put things right with him, Jason on the other hand, had no problem fulfilling his prophecy. Also, Persues married his love, Andromeda, and treated her right. Where as Jason used Medea to his advantage and then just tossed her aside because he had completed his quest. Perseus was the more heroic of the two because of his great accomplishments and completing them with kindness and respect for others.
I agree that Perseus is more heroic than Jason. While Jason faught only to make him self greater; Perseus faught to help others. It is obvious that Perseus was perfered by the gods because the help that Hermes and Athena was so much greater then the help that Jason recieved from the gods. When Perseus set out it was so that he could obtain a gift for Polydectes, "He had nothing he could give...declared that he would give him a present better than any there. He would go off and kill Medusa and bring back her head as his gift." (200) This was a gift not only to Ploydectes but also to all those who might come in harms way if they were to ever look into Medusa's eyes. When Perseus returned with the head he used to save his mother notto selfishly take over the land.
I think that Perseus is more heroic than Jason. The story Perseus, showed that Perseus was brave and courageous. He was selfless and thought about the saftey of others instead of his own. "When Perseus arrived the maiden was on a rocky ledge by the sea, chained there to wait for the coming of the monster. Perseus saw her and on the instant loved her. He waited beside her until the great snake come for its prey; then he cut its head off just as he had the Gorgon's." This quote is a good example on why Perseus is more heroic that Jason. He risked his own life for the life of someone else's, in this case Andromeda's.
i think that perseus is more heric between the to because he was more active in his quest. with jason and the golden fleece he primarily relied on Medea to get him to his goal if it wasnt for medea then he most likely would have failed or been killed early on in the story. With perseus's quest he had Aid from the gods but he was still right in the middle of the fighting. "then he aimed a stroke down at medusa's throat and athena guided his hand" pg 204. i think that this sentance says enought to display that perseus was in danger and portrayed as more of a hero than jason who relied on many others to complete his quest for him
I definitely think that Perseus was more heroic then Jason was. Jasons adventure was all about himself. He had help from the gods as did Perseus but I think he abused them. The people that loved him the most and were trying to help him were the ones most hurt by him. Medea really loved him and in the end all he did was shun her and leave her alone. He married someone else right in front of her. What Perseus did was married the girl that he loved. Jason was too prideful and definitly fell victim to hubris. Instead of thanking Medea for all she had done for him the book says "his answer was that he had been saved not by her, but by Aphrodite, who had made her fall in love with him, and that she owed him a great deal for bringing her to Greece, a civilized country" (177)
I believe that Jason is the more heroic because of one main thing. In my eyes he follows the definition of a Greek hero more closely. The entire point of his quest is to become recognized and immortal in the writings of history. His cause is to regain the kingdom that is rightfully his. "'I have come to my home to recover the ancient honor of my house...'"(162). he has to go on a quest to gain the spoils that he desires. Also I think that because Jason is guilty of hubris it makes him even more of a hero. Hubris is the flaw that leads to the downfall of the TRAGIC HERO. Because he commits hubris he fits the definition of a hero more closely. The quality that makes Perseus more heroic is that he treats his wife with more respect and gives her honor. Jason throws aside the woman that he fell in love with and that helped he achieve what he wanted to do. I believe that because of his flaws Jason is the more heroic of the two.
I agree with the majority of what everyone else is saying. I think that Perseus was the better hero because he followed the heroic code better than Jason did. I also think it's ironic how Perseus was the younger of the two heroes and he cared about others more than Jason did. I thought that because Jason was older than Perseus, he would have more experience and know that he shouldn't be selfish. Along with being selfish, Jason was very prideful which I don't think Perseus was. "His answer was that he had been saved not by her, but by Aphrodite..." (177). Jason should have at least said "thanks for the help" and left it at that. But he made her mad and she ended up killing their kids. I don't remember one part in the Perseus story where he was being selfish. Maybe foolish, but not selfish.
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I agree with Zach. Although it seems like Perseus should be more of the hero, Jason fits the definition of a hero moreso than Perseus does. First, Jason is on a quest for immortality. Jason willfully agrees to the quest after Pelias "spoke, believing in his heart that no one could make the attempt and come back alive"(162). I think that Jason also desired to be recognized, "He agreed, and let it be known everywhere that this would be a voyage indeed"(163). Jason also sought a prize: the golden fleece. Jason also had many more flaws than Perseus did. Today, we would say that Perseus should be the hero, but Jason exhibits more of the characteristics of a hero
I believe that Jason was more heroic than Perseus becasue he conqured the quest of the Golden Fleece which is said to be imposible. Although he got help from many gods he still had the courage to fight all the monsters like the Harpies, King Eestes, and the dragons teeth. The last reason why I think that Jason is more heroic is when Jason was talking to Palias and Palias told him that "Do you go upon this quest, and I swear with Zeus as witness that I will give up the kingdom and the sovereign rule to you." (pg 162). This shows how serious the king was to Jason to swear to Zues about the quest of the Golden Fleece because to swear to any gods or even Zues for the matter was a big deal.
True heroic acts are done with the intent of leaving the realm of ordinary with reckless abandonment and setting foot into the realm of extraordinary; where true heroes play. An act of heroism should be blind and uncalculated; worthy to be considered a leap of faith. An author by the name of John Eldridge said that authentic courage is when a man has a fearlessness of death, with a passion to live. This concept of courage and the idea of entering a place of mythic proportions go hand and hand.
A hero does not proceed into an adventure for the sole sake of his own glory, but with every intention of praising glory in itself.
Jason, although he showed bravery on the battle field and took upon himself a task of much peril, also acted in a way that reflected on his wants and needs alone.
Perseus, however; acted not on his own behalf but on the behalf of others. He honored the woman he fell in love with, and continued his search for his mother.
I beleive that jason is the more heroic of the two for a couple reasons. Jason did not have alot of help from the gods he used his mind and his skill to complete the tasks that were given to him. Im not saying he did not have any help from the gods , but he has less help that perseus. Also Jason had to go through more trials then perseus. But as for the heroic code Jason exzibits more aspects of the code then the other. He had to fight the "flying, frightful" harpies and many other tirals.
A specific point that caught my eye was that of garrison's quote by John Eldridge.True heroism is really the pursuit of things that fulfill what we feel is the purpose of life. All heroes have different motives. Jason seems selfish but I would assume it was a sign of confidence which is much needed in an epic quest. Confidence is courage, courage is a trait of heroes. Perseus' motivation was the safety of his people. this is genuine protection, something any hero is expected to do. Eldridge was emphasizing the idea of individual importance. Everyone has a purpose, it's just up to them to discover it and serve it.
I think Perseus is more heroic based on the fact that there was a higher body count and more killing in his story than Jason's.
Between Perseus and Jason, I would have to say that Perseus is more heroic. I think that he is more heroic because Jason had help from different gods and even human help (ie medea). I think that Perseus though traditionaly fits the hero statis more because he follows the heroic code more than Jason. Plus while Jason only did it for himself Perseus did it because he was in love with Andromeda. Truthfully, I dont really like Jason in the first place.
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