the quest for the golden fleece

®
The Quest for the
Golden Fleece
Cast:
Narrator 1
Narrator 2
Jason
Pelias
Argonaut
Phinneas
Aetes
Medea
Note to Teacher: We recommend that you play the role of Narrator 1 or Narrator 2.
Since this script may contain new names or places, you may need to model these words.
For small groups, feel free to assign more than one role to a single student if needed.
© 2010 Wireless Generation, Inc. Burst is a registered trademark of Wireless Generation, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Setting: This play takes place in the lands of Iolcus and Colchis in
ancient Greece.
Narrator 1: Long ago in the land of Iolcus, there lived a king and
a queen. They had a son named Jason. The royal family had a
happy life. Then things changed.
Narrator 2: The king had a jealous brother named Pelias. More
than anything, Pelias wanted to be king. He plotted to take over
the kingdom.
Narrator 1: He waited until the royal family went away on a trip.
Then, cruel Pelias took over the throne.
Narrator 2: The true king and queen and their son were not
allowed to return to the land.
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Pelias: Now the kingdom of Iolcus is mine! Forever!
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Narrator 1: Many years passed. The king and queen died. Their
son Jason was all grown up.
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Jason: I am the true king of Iolcus. I must go home and take back
my throne!
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Narrator 2: Jason got on a ship and began the long journey
home.
Narrator 1: When Jason arrived at the palace, his uncle Pelias
saw him. In a flash, Pelias knew Jason was his nephew.
Pelias: Jason has returned! He must want my throne. Well, I will
not let him take it!
Narrator 2: Pelias pretended that he did not know who Jason
was.
Pelias: Welcome, to my kingdom, stranger! Please, join me for
dinner.
Jason: It would be my pleasure.
Narrator 1: Right away, Pelias began to think of ways to get rid of
his nephew. Little did he know, Jason was thinking of how to get
rid of him!
Narrator 2: At dinner Pelias asked Jason a surprising question.
Pelias: Suppose there was someone in your kingdom you wanted
to get rid of. What would you do?
Jason: I would send him to the land of Colchis, on a quest for the
Golden Fleece!
Pelias: That is a fine idea!
Narrator 1: Both men knew the Golden Fleece was impossible to
capture.
Narrator 2: The Golden Fleece was a special treasure. It came
from a golden ram that had wings. A fire-breathing dragon
guarded it in the faraway land of Colchis.
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Narrator 1: No one had ever captured the fleece. Many had died
trying!
Pelias: You look like a brave young man. You should take that
journey to get the Golden Fleece. You would be a great hero if you
succeeded. Will you do it? Or are you afraid?
Jason: I am not afraid. I will do it. First, let us make a deal. If I
return with the Golden Fleece, then I shall get your kingdom.
Pelias: I agree. It’s a deal.
Narrator 2: Pelias told his men that Jason would never win this
challenge.
Pelias: He’ll never do it! He’ll die before he gets the Golden
Fleece. I will keep my kingdom forever!
Narrator 1: Jason was determined to succeed.
Narrator 2: Jason prepared his ship, the Argo, for the journey.
He gathered the strongest young men for this important trip. He
called them the Argonauts.
Jason: Men, no one has ever survived this quest. I know we shall!
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Argonaut: We shall! We are the Argonauts! We will capture the
Golden Fleece!
Narrator 1: They had many adventures on their journey. On one
island, they got rid of a flock of harpies. These were frightening
giant half-bird, half-woman creatures. They were attacking the
island’s king, Phinneas, and his people. Phinneas wanted to give
them a reward for their help.
Phinneas: How can I ever thank all of you?
Jason: We are on our way to Colchis to find the Golden Fleece.
Perhaps you can give us some advice so that we will succeed.
Phinneas: That is a dangerous trip. You will have to travel
between the clashing rocks. These two rocks slam together
whenever something tries to pass through. Whatever goes
between the rocks gets smashed to bits!
Jason: Can we go around it?
Phinneas: You cannot. Here is my advice. Send a bird through
the rocks ahead of your ship. The rocks will smash together when
they sense the bird flying through. Then they will separate again.
In that moment, sail your ship through — quickly!
Jason: Thank you, kind Phinneas. Now we will be on our way.
Narrator 2: Jason and the Argonauts set sail once more.
Narrator 1: When the Argo came to the smashing rocks, they did
just as Phinneas advised.
Narrator 2: The bird flew between the two rocks. The rocks
closed in. Bam! The bird escaped unharmed.
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Narrator 1: The rocks parted. In a flash, the Argo sailed through,
safe and sound.
Argonaut: Hooray! We did it!
Narrator 2: At last, the Argo came to the island of Colchis. Aetes,
the king of Colchis, and his daughter, Medea, met them.
Narrator 1: Medea fell in love with Jason at first sight. Her father,
the king, was angry. He knew that Jason had come for the Golden
Fleece. He did not want him to have it. He made a deal with
Jason.
Aetes: I have two bulls. I want you to use them to plow my field.
Then gather in the harvest. If you can do all this in one day, you
can take the Golden Fleece.
Jason: I will do it. Take me to the bulls!
Narrator 2: Jason soon discovered that these were not normal
bulls. These bulls breathed fire! Their feet were made of sharp
brass that could cut through anything!
Narrator 1: Jason was very afraid, but Medea came to his rescue.
Medea: Here, Jason. Take this lotion. Rub it all over yourself. The
flames from the bulls will not harm you. Their feet will not cut you.
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Narrator 2: The lotion worked! It kept Jason safe from the
frightening bulls. Now, Aetes had played another trick.
Narrator 1: Aetes had given Jason seeds to plant. These were
special seeds. When each seed touched the ground, up sprang a
warrior!
Narrator 2: Soon, an army of warriors surrounded Jason. They
were about to attack him. Once again, Medea helped him.
Medea: Jason, the warriors are strong, but they are not very
smart. Throw a rock at one of them and watch what happens.
Narrator 1: Jason threw a rock at one of the warriors.
Narrator 2: The warrior did not know who had thrown the rock.
He attacked a fellow warrior!
Narrator 1: Soon all the warriors were attacking one another!
Jason escaped unharmed. He plowed the field and got the
harvest in.
Jason: Aetes, I have gathered in the harvest.
Aetes: I will honor my promise. You have my permission to go
after the Golden Fleece.
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Jason: Thank you, Aetes. Argonauts, let’s go!
Narrator 2: Medea did not trust her father. She felt he had
another plan.
Medea: Father, I do not believe you. Will you really let Jason take
the Golden Fleece?
Aetes: Jason will never get the Golden Fleece! The dragon
protecting the treasure will kill him first!
Narrator 1: Medea raced to Jason.
Medea: I must help him!
Narrator 2: Meanwhile, with his sword drawn, Jason crept toward
the dragon.
Medea: Stop, Jason! Stop! Here, take this potion. Pour it over the
dragon. It will make him fall asleep. Then move quickly to grab the
Golden Fleece — and run!
Narrator 1: Jason did just what Medea told him to do. The
dragon fell asleep. Jason quickly grabbed the Golden Fleece and
began to escape.
Narrator 2: Suddenly, the dragon rolled over.
Medea: Hurry! The dragon is waking! We must leave — fast!
Jason: Let’s go! Medea, Argonauts, head for the ship!
Narrator 1: Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts ran to the ship.
They reached the Argo safely and hurried to set sail.
Narrator 2: Jason could not bear to leave Medea.
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Jason: Medea, would you come home with me to Iolcus?
Medea: My home is here, with my father.
Narrator 1: Jason quickly explained that he was the true king of
Iolcus.
Jason: Medea, my father was king of Iolcus. Then my uncle
Pelias stole the throne. When I return with the Golden Fleece, I will
be king. Pelias will be cast out of the kingdom. Marry me and be
my queen.
Argonauts: Hurry! The dragon is near! We must set sail, now!
Jason: Medea, what is your answer? Will you marry me?
Medea: Yes, Jason! I will marry you. I will be your queen.
Narrator 2: With that, they all sailed off safely. The fearsome
dragon roared angrily from the shore.
Narrator 1: Jason returned home showing off the Golden Fleece.
He won back his kingdom from Pelias. Jason was the king of
Iolcus at last!
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