Every story that incites emotion from the reader also sparks opinions on how he or she would react in the same situation. This instigation causes the reader to sympathize or criticize the characters. A Greek play, Medea, compels the reader to do both as the main character, Medea, reveals how her grief and vengeance result in her actions seeming understandable and extreme simultaneously – making it difficult to decide whether she is morally right or wrong. The confliction within Medea’s development in the story and the challenging task of judging her actions highlight how strong emotions can make – even definite – morals appear circumstantial, and thus, cause anyone to be engrossed over satisfying their own emotional needs, while sacrificing the lives of others. After Medea’s husband, Jason, betrayed her, desiring justice for his sin is a predictable action because the natural inclination to punish those who violate what is precious, for example, the sanctity of marriage, connects all of humanity – no matter the culture or time period.
Back in Ancient Greece the Greeks would have considered Jason to be the tragic hero however, throughout the play Medea, Euripides sets a very clear notion regarding the position of woman throughout the play. Woman weren’t seen as equals. Their status was lower than a man’s status. In the play Medea, Medea sacrifices everything just for Jason. Her city, her family, and also her status just because of love.
Have you ever seen the person you like with someone else, and get this sudden urge to do anything to keep them apart? In the tragedy, Medea, by Euripides, tells the story of Medea a woman who was betrayed by her husband, Jason, and she will do the most unbelievable thing to get revenge on her husband. Medea, is a cruel person, who will do anything to make her husband suffer. The Nurse is talking to Tutor, about the betrayal that Jason has done to Medea, and fears that she could do something. For example, the Nurse says: I am afraid she may think of some dreadful thing, for her heart is violent.
"Oh, my fatherland! How well I now remember you!" line 317, Medea makes a plea to Creon in an attempt to stop him banishing her from Corinth after he deems her dangerous and admits that he is terrified of her. "After my children, my country is my dearest love." line 318, Creon's responds, allowing Medea to use his weakness, his love for his daughter, to fulfil her wish to stay in the country.
Medea was an absolute lunatic. Before moving to Corinth Medea killed her brother by chopping him up and throwing him in the ocean. She then tricks the king’s daughters into cutting him up and boiling him. Once in Corinth Medea finds out that her husband, Jason, is marrying the daughter of Creon. This infuriates Medea and she has to have her revenge.
“If only they had never gone! If the Argo's hull Never had winged out through the grey-blue jaws of rock And on towards Colchis!” (1) Medea serves as a tragic instrument of suffering throughout Euripides’ play, Medea, and she inevitably provokes the anguish of multiple characters. The vengeance which Medea serves ultimately defines the tragic tone of Euripides’ play. A few specific characters which Medea’s tragic actions force distress upon in order to provide a tragic mood include both Jason and Creon.
The ancient Greek tragedies, Antigone by Sophocles and Medea by Euripides, both contain compelling arguments conducted amongst its main characters. The tale of Antigone describes the struggle of a young women who is punished for disobeying mortals in order to respect the gods. Medea gives an account of a woman who seeks revenge after being tremendously grieved when betrayed by her husband. The main characters of both tragedies find themselves in heated debates with their male counterparts. Perhaps the most convincing arguments come from Antigone's claim to Creon regarding her innocence, and Jason's exchange with Medea.
In Medea Euripides elucidates that greed and egoism are the greatest factors leading to destruction and unhappiness; blind self-interest is detrimental and lays the foundation for tragedy to occur. Euripides’ exploration of this idea begins with the character of Jason and the blatant narcissism of his words when confronting Medea about the scathing rage she feels towards him. After asserting that Medea should be grateful to him because when he brought her to Creon she received recognition from the Greeks for her cleverness, Jason goes on to rationalize this claim by considering her situation from his perspective. JASON. For my part, […] I’d choose the fate that made me a distinguished man.
Mason Huckins There are many times that we get angry at someone or something. Additionally, there are different ways of expressing this anger such as the desire to hurt someone or something. The most common expression of anger is through revenge or the need to do to someone what is done to you. Stories of retaliation are observed throughout history. It is also the theme in many forms of entertainment, such as a play or production.
Gender roles throughout history has placed an important value. In Euripides’ Medea, the main character Medea is a sorceress that has a valuable reputation, and is feared for her powers. Being emotionally distressed led Medea to commit a series of murders as revenge after Jason left her for a younger woman. Medea from the beginning is known to make others uncomfortable for her intelligence that is ahead of many. Containing various feminist qualities, Medea speaks out in behalf of injustices allowing her to overcome stereotypical gender roles.