Point of View

The Voyage of the Argo is written in first-person, unreliable narrative; that is, stylized fiction that appears to be based partially on first-hand knowledge and partially from the second-hand accounts of others. The narrator, who is not named, often stresses that he is not certain about the veracity of a certain passage or that it was "something he heard." The author uses dramatic flourishes. The narrator, without explanation, declares mysteriously that he is not allowed to tell the full details of an episode thus leaving the reader curious and wanting to know more. This style lends a touch of realism to the overall narrative.

The unnamed narrator is apparently telling the story of Jason and the Argonauts to an unnamed group of muses. In Greek mythology, muses were believed to be lesser gods but nonetheless immortal beings. They were enjoyed and utilized by the gods for...