Student Question
Who dies in "Medea" and "Electra," and what are their backgrounds?
Quick answer:
In "Medea," key deaths include Creusa (Glauce) and Creon, who die from poisoned robes given by Medea, and Medea's own sons, whom she kills to hurt their father, Jason. In "Electra," Agamemnon, Electra's father, is already dead, having been murdered by Clytemnestra. Orestes kills Clytemnestra, their mother, and her lover Aegisthus, at Electra's urging. These deaths highlight themes of revenge and familial betrayal in both plays.
These plays are full of death. Here are lists of the characters who die, or are thought to die, in each play.
- Creusa/Glauce--Medea soaks two golden robes in poison; Creusa dies when she wears one.
- Creon--he dies from the same poisoned robes while helping Creusa.
- the two boys--Medea stabs her own sons to death just to hurt Jason, their father.
- although not a character in this play, the play opens with Electra mourning the death of her father, Agamemnon (who was murdered by his own wife, Clytemnestra);
- there is a false report that Orestes has been killed in a chariot race;
- Clytemnestra, mother of Electra and Orestes, is killed by Orestes at Electra's urging
- Aegisthus, Clytemnestra's lover, is murdered by Orestes
Whew! Visit the links below for more information.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.