Atalanta Chapter Seventeen – Medea's Deal with the Argonauts
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Atalanta, Jason, and the four sons of Phrixus disembark from the Argo and walk toward the glittering city of Colchis. On the way they see the eagle of Zeus tearing at Prometheus, chained in the Caucasus. Inside the palace, King Aeëtes greets his grandsons icily, accusing them of betrayal. Jason announces his quest for the Golden Fleece. Aeëtes sets an impossible trial: yoke two fire-breathing bronze-hooved bulls, plow the Plain of Ares, and sow serpents' teeth that will spawn armed warriors. If Jason succeeds, he gets the Fleece; if he fails, the king will burn the Argo and all its crew. Outside, in a grove, they meet Medea, Aeëtes's daughter, who offers a magical protective salve in exchange for passage to Greece. She explains the salve is made from flowers that grow from Prometheus's blood, cut only by moonlight with Hecate's blessing. That night Medea brings the salve to the ship. The chapter ends as the Argonauts row toward the Plain of Ares at dawn.
Key Events
- Atalanta, Jason, and the four sons of Phrixus leave the Argo and enter Colchis.
- They witness the eagle of Zeus tormenting Prometheus in the Caucasus Mountains.
- They pass through the city gates and enter the palace courtyard, where four springs flow with milk, wine, oil, and water, gifts from Hephaestus.
- King Aeëtes greets his grandsons coldly, threatens to cut out their tongues for bringing a stranger.
- Jason states his claim to the Golden Fleece.
- Aeëtes sets an impossible task: yoke fire-breathing bulls, plow the Plain of Ares, and sow serpents' teeth that produce armed warriors. If Jason fails, the king will burn the Argo and all hands.
- Atalanta urges Jason to flee, but he insists on attempting the trial, trusting Hera's protection.
- In a grove near the marshes, they meet Medea, Aeëtes's daughter, who offers a magical salve in exchange for escape to Greece.
- Medea explains the salve's origin: flowers from Prometheus's blood, harvested only with Hecate's aid.
- That night Medea brings the salve to the Argo; the crew waits anxiously until dawn.
- The chapter closes as the Argonauts row toward the Plain of Ares.
Character Development
- Atalanta: She remains skeptical and wary. She distrusts Aeëtes, his palace, and Medea's magic. This chapter sharpens her instinct to fight openly rather than rely on guile. Her inner conflict grows as she watches Jason take the lead.
- Jason: For the first time, he shows firm decisiveness. He accepts the trial without flinching and trusts Medea's help unconditionally. His faith in Hera's blessing blinds him to the danger, revealing his naivety.
- Medea: Introduced as young, beautiful, and powerful in sorcery. She is desperate to escape her father's tyranny. She is resourceful (climbing the mountain alone at night) and wholly committed to the plan. Her quiet intensity is clear.
- Aeëtes: Depicted as a cold, contemptuous tyrant. He uses the laws of hospitality to trap Jason and sets an impossible task not to test worthiness but to destroy the Argonauts.
- Meleager: He voices the same doubts as Atalanta. He expected a battle and finds the reliance on magic unsettling.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Hospitality as a weapon: Aeëtes invokes the laws of Zeus to force Jason to accept the trial, then uses it to set a deadly trap.
- Magic versus heroism: The traditional heroic strength cannot defeat the bulls; only Medea's supernatural salve offers a chance. This challenges the ideal of a hero's own merit.
- Suffering and rebirth: Prometheus's eternal torment is linked to the flowers that bring life-saving protection. The salve is literally born from pain.
- Light and darkness: Colchis appears dazzling with polished gold and springs, but beneath lies cruelty and death. Medea's midnight climb under Hecate's power emphasizes the hidden, chthonic forces.
- Freedom and entrapment: Medea sees Jason as her escape, while Atalanta feels the oppressive atmosphere of the palace as a cage.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter introduces Medea, a character whose choices will drive the rest of the quest. It shifts the conflict from physical combat to psychological maneuvering and magic. Atalanta's perspective highlights the danger of trusting charisma over instinct. The impossible trial forces Jason to depend on outside aid, setting up the bargain that will have long-lasting consequences. The chapter deepens the novel's exploration of fate, power, and the cost of ambition.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Atalanta distrust Medea's offer? Atalanta worries that Medea may be acting on Aeëtes's orders, turning the promised help into a trap. She also finds the magic unnatural and unsettling compared to the straightforward battles she prefers.
2. How does Aeëtes use the rules of hospitality to his advantage? By presenting Jason as a guest, Aeëtes binds him to accept the trial. If Jason refuses, he breaks the sacred customs; if he accepts, he faces a nearly certain death. The king uses the appearance of fairness to conceal his murderous intent.
3. What does Medea's willingness to help reveal about her character and situation? Her desperation to leave Colchis outweighs the risk of betraying her father. She is resourceful, brave, and knowledgeable in magic, but also willing to gamble everything on a stranger. This shows both her strength and her vulnerability.