Medea's Life in Greece and Escalating Conflicts

Upon returning to Thessaly, Jason and Medea face new challenges. King Pelias, Jason's uncle, refuses to give up the throne as promised.

Highlight: Medea's cunning and ruthlessness are displayed when she tricks Pelias' daughters into killing their own father.

Medea convinces Pelias' daughters to perform a fake rejuvenation ritual, which results in them cutting up their father. This act forces Jason and Medea to flee Thessaly and settle in Corinth.

In Corinth, Jason and Medea have two sons. However, their relationship takes a dramatic turn when Jason decides to divorce Medea to marry Glauce, the princess of Corinth.

Quote: "Jason divorces Medea so he can marry the princess of Corinth, Glauce."

This betrayal sets the stage for Medea's most infamous acts of revenge. Creon, the king of Corinth, banishes Medea from the city, fearing her potential for revenge against his daughter Glauce.

Vocabulary: Banishment - forced exile from one's home or country.

Medea, displaying her manipulative skills, convinces Creon to allow her one more day in Corinth to get her affairs in order. This extra time proves crucial for her revenge plot.

Where is Medea from: It's important to note that Medea's foreign origins play a significant role in how she is perceived and treated in Greek society. As a "barbarian" princess from Colchis, she is seen as an outsider in Greece, which contributes to the conflicts she faces.

Medea's Revenge and Aftermath

Medea's revenge plan is both cunning and horrific. She sends her children to deliver a poisoned dress and crown to Glauce as a wedding gift.

Example: The deadly nature of Medea's gifts is revealed when Glauce puts on the dress, which clings to her body and burns her flesh. Creon, attempting to save his daughter, also falls victim to the poison.

After ensuring the deaths of Glauce and Creon, Medea faces her most agonizing decision: whether to kill her own children to complete her revenge against Jason.

Highlight: Medea's internal struggle between her desire for revenge and her maternal love is a central focus of Euripides' play.

Ultimately, Medea chooses to kill her children, unable to bear the thought of her enemies laughing at her. This act solidifies her reputation as one of the most fearsome figures in Greek mythology.

Who did Medea kill: In her quest for revenge, Medea kills Glauce, Creon, and her own two sons.

After committing these horrific acts, Medea escapes Corinth on a chariot provided by her grandfather, the sun god Helios. She finds refuge in Athens, where King Aegeus has promised her protection.

Vocabulary: Deus ex machina - a plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly resolved by an unexpected intervention.

Medea's escape on the divine chariot is an example of deus ex machina, allowing her to avoid immediate consequences for her actions.

Why did Euripides write Medea: Euripides' portrayal of Medea explores complex themes of gender roles, cultural conflict, and the destructive power of revenge. The play challenges audience expectations and societal norms, presenting a female protagonist who defies traditional roles and faces the consequences of her actions.

Analysis of Medea's Character and Cultural Impact

Character analysis of Medea in Argonautica PDF: Medea is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted character in both Apollonius' Argonautica and Euripides' play.

Key aspects of Medea's character include:

1. Power and divine heritage: As the granddaughter of Helios and priestess of Hecate, Medea possesses significant magical abilities.
2. Emotional intensity: Medea is characterized by extreme emotions, from passionate love to vengeful rage.
3. Cleverness and independence: She consistently outsmarts those around her and acts on her own behalf.
4. Defiance of societal norms: Medea refuses to conform to expected female behavior in Greek society.

Quote: "She did not conform to societal expectations of female behaviour, caring for children, weaving, looking after the oikos."

Influence of Greek mythology on Medea's actions: Medea's actions are often driven by divine influences and mythological concepts:

1. Eros' intervention causes her initial infatuation with Jason.
2. The importance of avoiding humiliation in Greek culture drives many of her decisions.
3. Her divine heritage allows her to escape consequences through supernatural means.

What is Medea the goddess of: While Medea is not typically considered a goddess, her association with Hecate and her magical abilities link her to witchcraft and sorcery.

The story of Medea continues to fascinate audiences and scholars, serving as a powerful exploration of gender roles, cultural conflict, and the destructive potential of unchecked passion and revenge.

Medea's Origins and Early Adventures

Jason and Medea summary: The story of Medea begins with Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece in Colchis. King Aeëtes, Medea's father, sets impossible tasks for Jason to complete.

Highlight: Hera, the queen of the gods, intervenes by asking Eros to make Medea fall in love with Jason.

Under the influence of Eros, Medea defies her father and aids Jason in completing the tasks. She provides him with a fire protection ointment and advice on defeating the skeleton warriors. Medea also puts the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece to sleep, allowing Jason to retrieve it.

Example: Medea's magical abilities are demonstrated when she helps Jason destroy the Bronze Giant Talos on the island of Crete.

After helping Jason obtain the Golden Fleece, Medea flees Colchis with him. To slow down her pursuing father, she commits a horrific act.

Vocabulary: Fratricide - the act of killing one's brother or sister.

Medea cuts her brother Apsyrtus into pieces and scatters them in the sea, forcing her father to stop and collect the remains for proper burial. This act of fratricide marks the beginning of Medea's violent actions in service of Jason.

Definition: Pollution - in Greek religious context, refers to a state of ritual impurity often caused by acts of violence or sacrilege.

To cleanse herself of the pollution caused by killing her brother, Medea is purified by her aunt Circe on the island of Crete.