Medea of Euripides
1881
The most frightening woman in Western literature. Euripides gave her voice in this shattering tragedy, and the result has haunted audiences for twenty-five centuries. Medea helped Jason steal the Golden Fleece, betrayed her father, killed her brother, fled her homeland for Greece. She gave him everything. And now Jason is marrying the daughter of King Creon, casting Medea aside for a younger, more advantageous match. What follows is a meticulous descent into grief transformed into something monstrous. Euripides understands that the most terrifying thing is not rage itself, but the cold, calculated patience of a woman who has lost everything and knows exactly what she will do about it. The play holds you in its grip not because of what happens, but because you understand exactly why it happens. It is a brutal examination of what society does to those it discards, and what those discarded souls might do in return.
About Medea of Euripides
Chapter Summaries
- 1
- The Nurse laments Medea's suffering after Jason's betrayal, fearing her mistress's violent nature. She recounts Medea's past sacrifices for Jason and expresses dread over what Medea might do in her grief and rage.
- 2
- The Attendant brings the Nurse news he overheard: King Creon intends to banish Medea and her children from Corinth. The Nurse is horrified, realizing this new blow will further fuel Medea's destructive anger.
- 3
- Medea emerges from the house, addressing the Chorus of Corinthian Women. She articulates the injustices faced by women, especially foreign women, and asks the Chorus not to betray her if she seeks revenge against Jason.
Key Themes
- Revenge and Justice
- Medea's entire tragic arc is driven by her insatiable desire for revenge against Jason, Creon, and the princess. The play explores the destructive nature of vengeance, questioning whether Medea's actions, however provoked, can ever be justified, and highlighting how cruelty begets further cruelty.
- The Status of Women
- Medea's opening monologue powerfully articulates the subjugation and vulnerability of women in a patriarchal society, especially foreign women. Her extreme actions can be seen as a desperate assertion of agency in a world that denies women power and respect, making her a 'terrible in story' figure.
- Barbarian vs. Greek Civilization
- The play contrasts Medea's 'wild' Colchian origins and magical powers with the 'ordered life and justice' of Greek society, as Jason describes it. This theme explores the clash of cultures and the prejudice faced by foreigners, which contributes to Medea's isolation and fuels her rage.
Characters
- Medea(protagonist)
- A powerful enchantress and princess of Colchis, driven to extreme vengeance after her husband Jason betrays her.
- Jason(antagonist)
- The leader of the Argonauts, who abandons Medea and their children to marry Creon's daughter for political gain.
- Creon(supporting)
- The King of Corinth, who banishes Medea and offers his daughter to Jason, becoming a target of Medea's wrath.
- Aegeus(supporting)
- The King of Athens, who offers Medea asylum in his city in exchange for her magical help with his childlessness.
- Nurse(supporting)
- Medea's loyal and compassionate attendant, who laments Medea's suffering and fears her vengeful nature.
- Attendant(minor)
- The children's escort, who brings news of Medea's impending banishment and displays a cynical view of human nature.
