Theme of Betrayal in Jason: Later Adventures and Death

Theme of Betrayal in Jason: Later Adventures and Death

Jason's final days are full of all kinds of betrayal. First, his uncle Pelias betrays Jason by not giving Jason the throne like he promised he would if the hero returned with the Golden Fleece. This betrayal doesn't come as much of a surprise, since Pelias is a pretty sneaky dude. Later on, however, it's Jason's turn to stab someone in the back, when he betrays Medea by marrying Glauce, the Princess of Corinth. The final betrayal comes from Medea herself, who not only kills Glauce and Glauce's father, but also kills her and Jason's two sons. This is not only a betrayal to Jason, but it's also a betrayal of her two boys. Is there a worse betrayal that a mother could inflict on her children?

Questions About Betrayal

  1. Which would you say is the worst case of betrayal in the story? Why do you think so?
  2. In what ways do the characters pay for betraying one another?
  3. What innocent characters pay for the betrayals of others?
  4. Is betrayal ever justified? When and why?