Themes: Revenge
In Euripides's play Medea, the themes of revenge—its necessity, causes, and consequences—are central to the narrative. Euripides makes Medea's thirst for vengeance understandable. Her husband Jason has betrayed her by marrying the young and beautiful daughter of the king of Corinth. On top of this, the king has exiled her from the city to prevent her from exacting revenge on his daughter. Medea cannot return to her father's home since she left without his approval to marry Jason. Consequently, she finds herself unlawfully cast aside, emotionally devastated, and justifiably enraged. She cannot bear the thought of becoming the laughingstock of Corinth. Even when Aegeus offers her a secure future in Athens, Medea remains unsatisfied—her only focus is on revenge.
The chorus of Corinthian women validate her anger, empathizing with both her sorrow and her desire for revenge. However, Medea's retribution far exceeds the socially accepted norms. Euripides deviates from the traditional myth by having Medea kill her own children to retaliate against her unfaithful husband. This act of vengeance is shocking even to contemporary audiences. The extremity of her actions is highlighted by the Chorus's response: the women of Corinth are not surprised by Medea's intent to kill Jason's new bride, nor do they attempt to stop her from murdering the king, as it was his daughter whom Jason loved. However, the notion of her killing her own children alarms them. They question how Medea can bring herself to murder her children just to inflict pain on Jason. Once Medea commits this horrific deed, the chorus withdraws its support. The women of Corinth understand that this act will deeply wound not only Jason but also Medea herself. Jason also acknowledges her self-inflicted suffering and demands that she admit her mistake. In a final, shocking display of hatred, Medea declares that her suffering is a price worth paying for her revenge against him. Medea's vengeance is extreme, twisted, and destructively powerful.
Expert Q&A
Discuss Medea as a revenge tragedy.
Medea is a classic example of a revenge tragedy, centered around Medea's extreme response to Jason's infidelity. Her actions, particularly against her own children, highlight the destructive nature of revenge, raising questions about the boundaries between wrath and love. The chorus's encouragement of Medea underscores how revenge can become contagious and sensationalistic, drawing others into its destructive path, much like the allure of modern reality television.
Can you compare "Medea" and "Phaedra" as revenge tragedies?
"Medea" and "Phaedra" are classical tragedies involving themes of revenge. In "Medea," the protagonist takes vengeance on Jason for his betrayal by killing his new bride, Creon, and their children. In "Phaedra," the titular character seeks revenge on Hippolytus for rejecting her advances by falsely accusing him, leading to his death. Both plays feature female avengers, differing from English revenge tragedies where the avenger is typically male.
Why did Medea kill her own innocent children?
Medea killed her children to exact revenge on Jason, who had betrayed her by marrying another woman. In Euripides' play, she is torn between her love for her children and her overwhelming anger and pride. By killing her sons, Medea aims to hurt Jason profoundly, ensuring he is left with the pain and guilt of their deaths, thus preventing herself from becoming a target of mockery and ridicule.
Why does Medea kill Pelias? What does this reveal about her and Jason's nature?
Medea kills Pelias because he refuses to give up the throne of Iolcus, obstructing Jason's path. This act, along with her previous brutal actions, highlights her ruthless and barbaric nature, making her later murders predictable. Medea is fiercely loyal to Jason until his betrayal, showcasing her mercilessness toward enemies. Jason's character is weaker; his possible horror at Medea's past actions may contribute to his decision to abandon her, sealing his fate.
How does the Chorus' opinion of Medea's revenge plan change during the play?
How could one argue in favor of Medea's actions in Euripides' Medea?
Medea's belief in the necessity of killing her sons as an act of revenge against Jason
Medea believes killing her sons is necessary to exact revenge on Jason for his betrayal. She views this act as the ultimate punishment, ensuring Jason suffers immensely by losing what he loves most. Medea's actions are driven by a desire to reclaim power and agency in a situation where she feels deeply wronged and humiliated.
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