In 1821, Grillparzer completed his "" trilogy, a project that had been interrupted in 1819 when his depressed mother committed suicide, and by Grillparzer's subsequent visit to Italy. The trilogy opens with a one-act prelude, "Der Gastfreund," then depicts, in "The Argonauts" ("Die Argonauten") Jason's adventures in his quest for the Fleece. "Medea", a tragedy of classic proportions, contains the culminating events of the story of Medea, which had been so often dramatized before. Similarly to "Sappho" but on a larger scale, this trilogy is a tragedy of the heart's desire, the conflict of the simple happy life with that sinister power, be it genius or ambition, which upsets the equilibrium of life. There is delicate art in the delineation of the mingled fascination and repulsion which Medea and Jason feel for each other, and when at last repulsion becomes the dominant force, Grillparzer gives splendid utterance to Medea's rage. At the end, Medea bears the fatal Fleece back to Delphi, while Jason is left to realize the futility of human striving and earthly happiness. The end is bitter disillusionment; the only consolation renunciation. Some critics consider "Medea" Grillparzer's highest achievement.