Greek Tragedy: Medea

Setting

• Ancient Greek city-state of Corinth.

Main Characters

Medea

• Daughter of the King of Colchis, with magical powers.
• Granddaughter of Helios, the Sun God.
• Betrayed her family to help Jason capture the Golden Fleece.
• Married Jason, lived in exile in Corinth, mother of two sons.
• Seeks revenge on Jason for leaving her for the princess of Corinth.

Jason

• Prince of Iolcus, trained as a Greek hero.
• Led the Argonauts to capture the Golden Fleece, with Medea's help.
• Betrays Medea by marrying the princess of Corinth.
• Claims his actions are for the financial security of his children.

Plot Overview

Introduction

• Nurse summarizes past events.
• Medea sobs, abandoned by Jason for the princess of Corinth.

Rising Action

• King Creon orders Medea into exile, fearing harm to the princess.
• Medea plots revenge, begging for one day’s reprieve.

Climax

• Medea sends poisoned robe and tiara to the princess.
• Kills her own children.
• Creon and the princess die from the poisoned gifts.

Falling Action

• Jason arrives to discover the death of his children.

Resolution

• Medea escapes in a winged chariot, taunting Jason.

Themes

Passion

• Medea’s passion for Jason overwhelms her judgment.
• Chorus advises against passionate love, promotes moderation.

Betrayal

• Jason’s betrayal leads Medea to revenge.
• Medea betrays her own family for Jason.

Revenge

• Central to Medea's actions.
• Medea manipulates others to enact her revenge.

Exile

• Medea’s past, present, and future are marked by exile.
• Symbolizes her as an outsider.

Feminine Power

• Medea and the chorus represent feminine wisdom and power.
• Medea’s cunning overwhelms men in the play.

Symbols

The Crown

• Connects to Corinthian royalty and symbolizes authority.
• Transformed into a weapon by Medea’s rage.

Offstage Cries

• Symbolize the destruction of Medea and Jason’s marriage.

The Golden Chariot

• Symbolizes Medea’s partial divinity and escape.
• Reinforces her as an outsider.