Medea: A discussion of themes

the play by Euripides, the 5th-century playwright and friend of

Socrates (70-115). Euripides' play dramatizes the well-known legend of the journeys of Medea, granddaughter of Helios, god of the sun, and her husband Jason. According to this Greek legend Jason, an Argonaut, travels to Colchis on the Black Sea, where, with the help of Medea, he manages to secure the Golden Fleece. Medea, who is a sorceress of significant power, facilitates her escape and that of Jason from Colchis, chiefly by murdering her own brother. When Jason returns to his native Iolcus, he finds that his uncle, Pelias, has cheated him of his father's throne. Medea takes it upon herself to intervene again, on Jason's behalf, in the struggle by getting the daughters of Pelias to slay the ruler. And, once again, the couple takes flight and begins their lives as exiles at Corinth, having been given refuge by Creon, the ruler of Corinth.

The couple and their two children, both boys, reside at Corinth until a murderous crisis arises. Jason is offered the opportunity to marry the daughter of Creon, which he accepts. As the play opens Jason has left home and is living with his bride in the royal court. Medea, who has truly loved her husband, summons a fury she has demonstrated in the past. This time, however, her passion is even more palpable as she plots unspeakable crimes: the murders of the daughter and her father and the consequent slayings, by

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ities or to her admittedly stubborn and devious character. The reason for her fury is much more mundane and can be found in Jason's abandoning the family. Throughout the play there are bitter comments made concerning the relationships between the sexes. Jason tells Medea: But your whole sex Hath these ideas: if in marriage blest You deem naught wanting, but if some reverse Of fortune e'er betide the marriage bed, All that was good and lovely ye abhor (87). Jason continues his soliloquy by bitterly commenting that it would be better if children could make their appearance on this earth by means other than the woman's womb. Medea will have none of Jason's talk; it is nothing but an "artful tongue" which Jason employs: Jason tramples on love But expresses his thoughts with plausibility. It is the chorus, once again, which intones the cultural ideal, arguing for moderation between the sexes. The chorus would soon be spared the "pangs of keen desire," pangs which ultimately serve to set the stage for jealousy and spite which Medea manifests so frighteningly. Far better is it to delight in modesty and not be torn by passion. The play also makes it clear that it is woman who suffers most in male-female relations.
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1585
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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