Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Jason Vs. Perseus?

Who is more heroic: Jason or Perseus? Please sight at least one example from our class text, the Myth and You text, and use the "heroic code" terminology to defend your claims. Complete this response by 2:30p.m. on Tuesday, March 21st.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would have to say Jason is more heroic than Perseus because he was demonstrating different aspects of the heroic code. Jason is getting the fleece to reclaim his fathers kingdom and that is a reward which is a aspect of the heroic code. Jason also doesn't want to lose his honor which is also part of being a hero. "The dead Phrixus bids us bring back the Golden Fleece and thus bring back his spirit to his home."(124) This quote is saying Jason needs to get this fleece to show his city his pride. Also Jason was involved in one’s identity and role in being part of a warrior society which is part of the heroic code. On the other hand Perseus was just getting the head as a gift and didn't want to be heroic or recognized. Overall Jason is way more heroic than Perseus.

Anonymous said...

Jason is more heroic than Perseus because instead of trying to save an entire kingdom and the honor of his family. He conquered all odds with the help of his friends. He escapes the grasp of the sea and many monsters and even battles a dragon. Though Perseus plays Medusa, "Jason's ambition knew no bounds" (264). His drive and grit to return honor to his family, simply to reclaim the kingdom. This aligns him further with heroic code and therefore he is more heroic.

Anonymous said...

Personally I think Perseus comes off as the most heroic because his work doesn’t lie with with himself becoming anything. Perseus has set out to save his mother, not so he can become king. This is of course depending on how you read it, Perseus can come off as prideful or embarrassed instead of trying to save his mother from the fate of marrying the hideous king. Since It is at their wedding that Perseus claims to make up from a lack of a gift by killing medusa. However when trying to fulfill the heroic code it leaves Jason as the hero because he checks the list of more than Perseus. Jason has the Desire to be recognized, to winning to be king, acts of excessive pride, Act beyond limitations, and has moments where they only thing that saved him was the greeks view of host and guest. Where Perseus only has excessive pride and desire to free his mom.

Anonymous said...

I think that Perseus is more heroic, because he was more humble and didn't really have the desire to be recognized. He was a hero that was humble and devoted. In the text, he was not afraid, "He had nothing to fear from it now"(151). Jason on the other hand was still a hero, but he wanted to get the fleece more for his own pride instead of humbly like Perseus. But overall, both Perseus and Jason resemble heroic actions.

Anonymous said...

I believe Perseus is more heroic than Jason based on the heroic code. Jason simply does what he has to do to survive (ie. fighting the dragon to get the fleece) but Perseus brings back the head of Medusa for recognition and to save a loved one. It is said many have tried to retrieve the head but none have succeed until Perseus. page 154 of Myth and you is used as an example to show Perseus's desire to pursue excellence "Medusa's head was given to Athena, who bore It always upon the aegis, Zeus's shield, which she carried for him.". It is clear to me that Perseus had a more heroic intend to his quest than Jason and the Golden Fleece. Though both should be honored for their triumphs, Perseus's quest was more dangerous and glorifying.

Anonymous said...

Both Perseus and Jason follow all of the rules of the heroic code; however, I see Perseus as a better hero than Jason because he went on his quest and went through those trials for someone else. Though he was looking for recognition and a prize, he went on his voyage to get a gift for his mother and her husband. Jason specifically went on his voyage so that he could get the crown, which displays selfishness. I personally see heroes as people who serve others without hesitation, and this is what Perseus did, where Jason went on his journey for selfish reasons.

Anonymous said...


Between Jason and Perseus, Jason would be considered most heroic because if both were to be based off of the heroic code, Jason would be claiming and higher reputation and a greater prize as King, as where Perseus isn’t. This can be seen in the text for Jason and the Golden Fleece when he says, “‘ Keep all the wealth you have taken, the flocks and the tawny herds of cattle and the fields, but the sovereign scepter and the throne release to me, so that no evil quarrel will arise from them."’ For in this tale, Jason is working to achieve a much greater reward, and to seek out much greater fame.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

In Greek Mythology, Jason and Perseus’ stories contain the same heroic journey as they prove to the world what they are made of. In my opinion, I think Perseus was more heroic then Jason because he went through great lengths in order to free his mother from the king. In the story, his character was portrayed as selfless, devoted and unafraid of the consequences that came with the gorgon. He completed an impossible mission by killing Medusa and as proof he brought back her head. Jason went on her journey to gain back his kingdom and in order to do that he had to retrieve the golden fleece. He did it more for himself than others.

Anonymous said...

The stories of Perseus and Jason are some of the most iconic stories depicting heroics in Greek Mythology, but I would have to say that Perseus is the better hero. While both meet the guidelines of the heroic code, Perseus has the intention of saving his mother, while Jason simply wants the crown for himself: "She was still radiantly beautiful even though Perseus by now was full grown, and Polydectes fell in love with her. He wanted her, but he did not want her son, and he set himself to think out a way of getting rid of him" (144). Perseus noble intentions are what allows him to be the best hero.

Anonymous said...

The epic tales of Perseus and Jason are perhaps the most recognizable and iconic stories ever written by the Greeks, as both have been made into at least one feature film. In my opinion, Perseus is the one that embodies the heroic code the most, showing courage in the face of danger and not being afraid to get his sword dirtied. He completed a nearly impossible and improbable task of slaying the hideous Gorgon Medusa, taking her head and gifting it to the gods that helped him along his journey, showing humbleness even in the face of gods. Perseus is the model hero: Daring, unwavering in devotion, and a truly humble man.

Anonymous said...

Perseus is a more heroic hero than Jason. The main reason being about how the two stories ended, Perseus did not treat anyone like trash, he was much more considerate towards others and also selfless. Jason was more into his adventure for fame and fortune, also he abandoned one of the key members of the journey in a climatic ending, Jason drove Medea towards insanity, something Perseus would not do.

Anonymous said...

i think Jason was less heroic than Perseus because Jason's actions were aimed more to benefit himself, while Perseus was doing what was good for others. When I think of heroes, I think of someone aiming all their actions toward the greater good, or doing what's best for others. I just don't think Jason was doing that as much, seeing as he wanted the crown for himself. Perseus was also generally more kind to others on his journey, which displays another heroic element- generosity and kindness.

Anonymous said...

Perseus is more heroic than Jason. Jason's actions benefit himself and nobody else.
The true meaning of being a hero is putting others before oneself and doing good for them. Perseus was more friendly than Jason was along his journey. Perseus has more of the hero traits than Jason does, making him the more ideal hero.

Anonymous said...

Perseus is a more heroic character compared to Jason. Mainly because of how the two stories ended. Perseus did not treat anyone improperly, he was much more considerate towards others and he was also selfless. Jason enjoyed his adventures primarily for the fame and fortune. He also abandoned one of the key members of the journey in a climatic ending. Jason also drove Medea towards insanity, something Perseus would not do.

Anonymous said...

In Greek Mythology, Jason and Perseus’ stories are told time and again as heroic tales of strength, wit, and honor. However, Perseus is much more of a hero than Jason, being a much more thoughtful and noble character than Jason. Perseus followed the heroic code because he desired to be recognized by the King and his mother for his wonderful gift, and he always pursued excellence in his actions. However, Jason, in taking advantage of Medea and mistreating her, failed to uphold the standards of the heroic code by letting Medea overcome challenges instead of he himself “pursuing what he does best”. He also didn’t pursue excellence in his actions due to his horrible actions towards Medea. For example, Jason violated his promise to Medea by marrying a different princess, while Perseus fulfilled his promises, an excellent action, by facing many trials until he could retrieve the head of Medusa. Overall, Perseus fulfills the heroic code much better than Jason.

Anonymous said...

Perseus is the more heroic character compared to Jason. Perseus killed Medusa by cutting off her head. Then he brought it back to Athena to show is loyalty. So Perseus is more of the heroic one.

Anonymous said...

I definitely see Perseus as the more heroic one because Jason went for selfish reasons so that he can become king. The fundamental part of hero's is humility. This is completely absent from Jason so I do not think that he is the better hero. There is definitely bravery in Jason, he is strong and will go into battles without much fear, however without humility there is no place for him as a hero. I believe that Perseus was the more heroic character because he was not prideful and he was selfless.

Anonymous said...

Perseus is more heroic than Jason because he is the one that care about others and has the characteristics of an hero, he is strong, ambitious, courageous, adventurous and protective of his mother, while Jason is the one that only thinks about himself. Perseus followed the heroic code in order to be recognized by his mother and the King, an example for his ambitiousness can be when he won the tournament and brought Medusa's head.

Anonymous said...

Perseus is greatly superior compared to Jason. Not only is selflessness a huge component in the heroic code, but also because of the bravery shown by Perseus. He was able to conquer Medusa and displayed his dedication to Athena. Jason only tried to accomplish feats for personal reasons, and him being weaker and self absorbed makes him less of hero in comparison to Perseus.

Anonymous said...

I believe that Perseus is more heroic than Jason in many ways. Jason was selfish and used Medea in order to only help him in the moment and left her for a women with more influence and money. Perseus was also able to conquer Medusa which is an intense feat in itself since he had to be cunning with her hair. Perseus strives to do good and sees the best in people. His intentions were pure as well, differentiating from Jason whose intentions were to just put himself forward. All in all, Perseus was a much more heroic man than Jason.

Unknown said...

jason is kind of a self centered person, and uses people for his uses and does nothing for them and i feel like perseus was more mighty heroic man,he conquerd medusa and was a big cool guy