Medea’s Metamorphosis in the Argonautica by Apollonius Rhodius
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https://doi.org/10.17851/2317-2096.23.1.73-83Keywords:
Apsyrtus’s death, Medea, metamorphosisAbstract
The barbarian Medea progressively grows into a Greek woman in Apollonius Rhodius’ Argonautica. Apsyrtus’ death is crucial in this development, for he was pursuing the Argonauts as a legal tutor, άοσσητήρ, of his sister (4.406). With his disappearing, the legal obstacle is surmounted and the couple can finally marry. Alcinoos’ support is therefore possible. In Drepane we realize that the younger daughter of Aeetes is no longer a foreign element and a barbarian. When the Argonauts swear for Medea’s life (4.1055-1057) it is clear she had become a member of the crew. Later, before the iron giant (4.1660-1661) she holds this new position, which is endorsed by Jason’s gesture in driving her by the hand through the boat (4.1663). Medea thus becomes an Argonaut and a Greek woman, although she can never hide her nature as a sorceress (4.1677). Our purpose is to emphasize this metamorphosis, which begins with Apsyrtus’ death.
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