Overview
This lecture summarizes Euripides' tragedy Medea, focusing on themes of betrayal, revenge, gender roles, and exile, as Medea takes drastic action after Jason's betrayal.
Characters and Setting
- Medea is a refugee from Colchis, betrayed wife of Jason, living in Corinth.
- Jason, her husband, abandons Medea and their children to marry Creon's daughter.
- Creon is King of Corinth, father of Jason's new bride.
- Aigeus, King of Athens, offers Medea potential asylum.
- The Chorus represents Corinthian women, commenting on events and morals.
Plot Overview
- Jason abandons Medea, inciting her grief, rage, and desire for revenge.
- Creon banishes Medea and her children, fearing her cleverness and threats.
- Medea secures one more day in Corinth and plans to destroy Jason, his bride, and Creon.
- She feigns reconciliation with Jason to ensure her children's safety.
- Medea poisons the bride with gifts, killing both the bride and Creon.
- In her ultimate act of revenge and to hurt Jason, Medea kills her own children.
- Medea flees to Athens with divine assistance, denying Jason the bodies for burial.
Key Themes and Concepts
- Betrayal and Revenge: Medea punishes Jason for breaking his marriage oath.
- Gender and Power: Medea laments women's societal position and asserts her agency.
- Exile and Isolation: Medea suffers as a foreigner with no support system.
- Role of the Gods: Medea invokes divine justice for her actions and escape.
- Conflict of Passion and Reason: Medea is torn between love for her children and vengeance.
Major Scenes
- Prologue: Nurse and Pedagogue discuss Medea's suffering and concern for her children.
- Medea pleads with Creon for reprieve, secures one more day.
- Medea gains sanctuary from Aigeus in Athens through an oath.
- Poisoning of Creon's daughter and Creon.
- Debate between Medea and Jason—mutual blame and justification.
- Medea's internal struggle but resolve to kill her children.
- Exodos: Jason discovers the deaths; Medea escapes with the bodies.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Chorus — Group of townspeople/women who comment on the action and themes.
- Oath — Sacred promise, highly significant in Greek society.
- Exile — Forced removal from one's country or city.
- Stasimon — Choral ode reflecting on events and moral lessons.
- Hubris — Excessive pride or defiance toward the gods, often leading to tragedy.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the main motives behind Medea's revenge.
- Analyze the role of the gods and fate in the resolution.
- Reflect on chorus speeches for Greek views on gender and justice.
- Prepare for discussion: Was Medea justified in her actions? Why or why not?