Jason: Birth and Early Adventures
Jason: Birth and Early Adventures
In a Nutshell
There's absolutely no denying it. We. Love. Heroes. Superheroes, super sleuths, crime fighters, young Jedi, determined hobbits, boy wizards... we seriously can't get enough. We totally devour stories about extraordinary people going to extraordinary lengths to do extraordinary things. Whether it's movies, TV shows, novels, or comic books, stories about heroes are big business these days.
Of course, this obsession with heroes is far from a modern thing. Human beings have been hero-crazy for as long we can remember. Just take a look at the tale of Jason and you'll see the proof that hero-worship is programmed into our DNA. This story is thousands of years old and yet it's got all the thrills, chills, and daring that gets audiences and readers so excited today.
In this chapter of the life of Jason, we get to see how it all began. Every hero needs some kind of amazing origin story, right? Well, Jason's is right on up there with Superman's exploding home planet of Krypton and Harry Potter's near death at the hands of Voldemort. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the tale of the first days of one of the greatest heroes of all time.
Shmoop Connections
Explore the ways this myth connects with the world and with other topics on Shmoop
The Lightning Thief by Rick RiordanChiron, Jason's teacher, spends his time these days training young heroes at Camp Half-Blood.
The Metamorphoses by Ovid
Ovid gives his version of what happened in Jason's later years.
Medea by Euripides
In this grizzly tragedy, we hear all about the terrible revenge that Medea takes on Jason.
Inferno by Dante
Dante shows Jason being eternally whipped by demons for betraying Medea.