medea essay

• Ask LitCharts AI
• Discussion Question Generator
• Essay Prompt Generator
• Quiz Question Generator

• Literature Guides
• Poetry Guides
• Shakespeare Translations
• Literary Terms

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Euripides's Medea . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Medea: Introduction

Medea: plot summary, medea: detailed summary & analysis, medea: themes, medea: quotes, medea: characters, medea: symbols, medea: theme wheel, brief biography of euripides.

Historical Context of Medea

Other books related to medea.

• Full Title: Medea
• When Written: Unknown, before 431 B.C.
• Where Written: Unknown, likely the island of Salamis
• Literary Period: Classical Greek Drama
• Genre: Tragic Drama
• Setting: The courtyard outside Medea's house in the Greek city-state of Corinth.
• Climax: Medea murders her two sons offstage and ascends over the stage in a flying chariot sent by her grandfather, the sun god, Helios.
• Antagonist: Medea's husband, Jason

Extra Credit for Medea

Prolific Euripides. According to some sources Euripides produced more than 90 plays. Unfortunately only 18 of them survive into the present day.

Euripides' innovation to the already existing Greek story of Medea and Jason. In previous versions of the story, the Corinthians killed Medea's children in retaliation for her murdering their ruler, Creon. In Euripides' version, Medea kills her children herself.

• Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.

Ask the publishers to restore access to 500,000+ books.

Internet Archive Audio

• This Just In
• Grateful Dead
• Old Time Radio
• 78 RPMs and Cylinder Recordings
• Audio Books & Poetry
• Computers, Technology and Science
• Music, Arts & Culture
• News & Public Affairs
• Spirituality & Religion
• Radio News Archive

• Flickr Commons
• Occupy Wall Street Flickr
• NASA Images
• Solar System Collection
• Ames Research Center

• All Software
• Old School Emulation
• MS-DOS Games
• Historical Software
• Classic PC Games
• Software Library
• Kodi Archive and Support File
• Vintage Software
• CD-ROM Software
• CD-ROM Software Library
• Software Sites
• Tucows Software Library
• Shareware CD-ROMs
• Software Capsules Compilation
• CD-ROM Images
• ZX Spectrum
• DOOM Level CD

• Smithsonian Libraries
• FEDLINK (US)
• Lincoln Collection
• American Libraries
• Canadian Libraries
• Universal Library
• Project Gutenberg
• Children's Library
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Books by Language
• Additional Collections

• Prelinger Archives
• Democracy Now!
• Occupy Wall Street
• TV NSA Clip Library
• Animation & Cartoons
• Arts & Music
• Computers & Technology
• Cultural & Academic Films
• Ephemeral Films
• Sports Videos
• Videogame Videos
• Youth Media

Search the history of over 866 billion web pages on the Internet.

Mobile Apps

• Wayback Machine (iOS)
• Wayback Machine (Android)

Browser Extensions

Archive-it subscription.

• Explore the Collections
• Build Collections

Save Page Now

Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future.

Please enter a valid web address

• Donate Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape

Medea Essays On Medea In Myth, Literature, Philosophy, And Art

Bookreader item preview, share or embed this item, flag this item for.

• Graphic Violence
• Explicit Sexual Content
• Hate Speech
• Misinformation/Disinformation
• Marketing/Phishing/Advertising
• Misleading/Inaccurate/Missing Metadata

From the dawn of European literature, the figure of Medea--best known as the helpmate of Jason and murderer of her own children--has inspired artists in all fields throughout all centuries. Euripides, Seneca, Corneille, Delacroix, Anouilh, Pasolini, Maria Callas, Martha Graham, Samuel Barber, and Diana Rigg are among the many who have given Medea life on stage, film, and canvas, through music and dance, from ancient Greek drama to Broadway. In seeking to understand the powerful hold Medea has had on our imaginations for nearly three millennia, a group of renowned scholars here examines the major representations of Medea in myth, art, and ancient and contemporary literature, as well as the philosophical, psychological, and cultural questions these portrayals raise. The result is a comprehensive and nuanced look at one of the most captivating mythic figures of all time.

Unlike most mythic figures, whose attributes remain constant throughout mythology, Medea is continually changing in the wide variety of stories that circulated during antiquity. She appears as enchantress, helper-maiden, infanticide, fratricide, kidnapper, founder of cities, and foreigner. Not only does Medea's checkered career illuminate the opposing concepts of self and other, it also suggests the disturbing possibility of otherness within self. In addition to the editors, the contributors include Fritz Graf, Nita Krevans, Jan Bremmer, Dolores M. O'Higgins, Deborah Boedeker, Carole E. Newlands, John M. Dillon, Martha C. Nussbaum, Christiane Sourvinou-Inwood, and Marianne McDonald.

plus-circle Add Review comment Reviews

2 Favorites

DOWNLOAD OPTIONS

For users with print-disabilities

IN COLLECTIONS

Uploaded by rafaelfortes on December 27, 2023

SIMILAR ITEMS (based on metadata)

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Cast of Characters
• Character Analysis
• Foreshadowing
• Historical Context
• Literary Devices
• Personification
• Quote Analysis
• Rhetorical Devices

Study Guide

• Euripides Biography

The Significance of the Ending of Medea

How it works

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Medea’s Dual Nature: Emotion and Vengeance
• 3 Justice and Moral Ambiguity
• 4 Societal Critique and Women’s Struggle
• 5 Conclusion

Introduction

Euripides’ Medea is one of those old Greek tragedies that’s been grabbing people’s attention for ages. It’s about Medea, who gets really intense revenge on her cheating husband, Jason. The end of the play is pretty intense and wraps up the whole story in a way that really hits home. Medea does something shocking—she kills her own kids and then escapes. This part of the play brings up a lot of tough questions about justice, revenge, and how women were treated back then.

In this essay, I’ll dig into the layers of meaning in the play’s ending and why it still matters today.

Medea’s Dual Nature: Emotion and Vengeance

The ending of Medea is key to getting who Medea really is. Throughout the play, she’s shown as super emotional and smart, capable of deep love and scary revenge. By the end, her actions have gone way over the top, ending in her killing her own children. This is the peak of her anger and sadness, showing just how extreme her situation is. Medea’s act isn’t just personal revenge; it’s also a big statement against the norms of ancient Greece. In a society where women had little power, what she does can be seen as her trying to take control in any way she can. Her escape in a chariot from the sun god Helios makes her seem almost like a god herself, breaking free from human rules.

Justice and Moral Ambiguity

The ending of Medea also asks some big questions about right and wrong. One of the main themes is justice. Jason’s cheating on Medea starts a chain of events that ends in tragedy. You could see Medea’s actions as her twisted way of getting justice. But her extreme revenge makes it hard to feel completely sorry for her. The ending leaves you feeling torn, wondering if her actions were justified or if they just made her as bad as those who hurt her. This kind of moral messiness is typical of Euripides. He doesn’t give easy answers but makes you think deeper.

Societal Critique and Women’s Struggle

Medea’s ending also criticizes how society treats women. Throughout the play, Medea knows she’s in a tough spot as a foreign woman in Greece. Jason’s betrayal makes things worse, leaving her with no support. By doing something so drastic, Medea highlights the problems women faced back then. Her extreme actions can be seen as her fighting back against a system that failed her. So, the ending isn’t just about her personal tragedy; it’s also saying something about the bigger social issues. Euripides uses Medea’s story to show that society needs to be fairer and more just, so people aren’t driven to such desperate acts.

The ending of Euripides’ Medea is powerful and wraps up the play’s main themes and emotions. Through Medea’s final actions, Euripides looks at tough questions about justice, revenge, and women’s roles in society. The moral complexity and depth of the ending keep the play interesting and open to debate. By leaving us with more questions than answers, Euripides makes us think about justice and the social structures that affect our lives. The lasting importance of the ending of Medea is in how it makes us think and feel, proving it’s a timeless piece of literature.

Cite this page

The Significance of the Ending of Medea. (2024, Sep 17). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-significance-of-the-ending-of-medea/

"The Significance of the Ending of Medea." PapersOwl.com , 17 Sep 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/the-significance-of-the-ending-of-medea/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Significance of the Ending of Medea . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-significance-of-the-ending-of-medea/ [Accessed: 19 Sep. 2024]

"The Significance of the Ending of Medea." PapersOwl.com, Sep 17, 2024. Accessed September 19, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/the-significance-of-the-ending-of-medea/

"The Significance of the Ending of Medea," PapersOwl.com , 17-Sep-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-significance-of-the-ending-of-medea/. [Accessed: 19-Sep-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Significance of the Ending of Medea . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-significance-of-the-ending-of-medea/ [Accessed: 19-Sep-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

by Euripides

• Medea Summary

Greek audiences would have known the story of the ill-fated marriage between Jason , hero of the Golden Fleece, and Medea , barbarian witch and princess of Colchis. The modern reader, to fully understand the events of Medea, needs to be familiar with the legends and myths on which the play is based.

Medea was of a people at the far edge of the Black Sea; for the Greeks of Euripides ' time, this was the edge of the known world. She was a powerful sorceress, princess of Colchis, and a granddaughter of the sun god Helias. Jason, a great Greek hero and captain of the Argonauts, led his crew to Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece. King Aeetes, lord of Colchis and Medea's father, kept the Fleece under guard. A sorcerer himself, he was a formidable opponent. This legend takes place quite early in the chronology of Greek myth. The story is set after the ascent of Zeus, King of the gods, but is still near the beginning of his reign; Helias, the ancient sun god before Apollo's coming, is Medea's grandfather. Jason's voyage with the Argonauts predates the Trojan War, and represents the first naval assault by the Greeks against an Eastern people.

The traps set by Aeetes made the Golden Fleece all but impossible to obtain. By Medea's aid, Jason overcame these obstacles, and Medea herself killed the giant serpent that guarded the Fleece. Then, to buy time during their escape, Medea killed her own brother and tossed the pieces of his corpse behind the Argo as they sailed for Greece. Her father, grief-stricken by his son's death and his daughter's treachery, had to slow his pursuit of the Argo so he could collect the pieces of his son's body for burial.

Medea and Jason returned to his hereditary kingdom of Iolcus. Jason's father had died, and his uncle Pelias sat, without right, on the throne. Medea, to help Jason, convinced Pelias' daughters that she knew a way to restore the old king's youth. He would have to be killed, cut into pieces, and then put together and restored to youth by Medea's magic. The unwitting daughters did as Medea asked, but the sorceress then explained that she couldn't really bring Pelias back to life. Rather than win Jason his throne, this move forced Jason, Medea, and their children into exile. Finally, they settled in Corinth, where Jason eventually took a new bride.

The action of the play begins here, soon after Medea learns of Jason's treachery.

A Nurse enters, speaking of the sorrows facing Medea's family. She is joined by the Tutor and the children; they discuss Jason's betrayal of Medea. The Nurse fears for everyone's safety: she knows the violence of Medea's heart. The Tutor brings the children back into the house. The Chorus of Corinthian women enters, full of sympathy for Medea. They ask the Nurse to bring Medea out so that they might comfort her; the unfortunate woman's cries can be heard even outside the house. The Nurse complies. Medea emerges from her home, bewailing the harshness with which Fate handles women. She announces her intention to seek revenge. She asks the Chorus, as follow women, to aid her by keeping silent. The Chorus vows.

Creon (not to be confused with the Creon of Sophocles' Theban cycle), king of Corinth and Jason's new father-in-law, enters and tells Medea that she is banished. She and her children must leave Corinth immediately. Medea begs for mercy, and she is granted a reprieve of one day. The old king leaves, and Medea tells the Chorus that one day is all she needs to get her revenge.

Jason enters, condescending and smug. He scolds Medea for her loose tongue, telling her that her exile is her own fault. Husband and wife bicker bitterly, Medea accusing Jason of cowardice, reminding him of all that she has done for him, and condemning him for his faithlessness. Jason rationalizes all of his actions, with neatly enumerated arguments. Although he seems to have convinced himself, to most audience members Jason comes off as smug and spineless. He offers Medea money and aid in her exile, but she proudly refuses. Jason exits.

Aegeus , king of Athens and old friend of Medea's, enters. Aegeus is childless. Medea tells him of her problems, and asks for safe haven in Athens. She offers to help him to have a child; she has thorough knowledge of drugs and medicines. Aegeus eagerly agrees. If Medea can reach Athens, he will protect her. Medea makes the old king vow by all the gods.

With her security certain, Medea tells the Chorus of her plans. She will kill Jason's new bride and father-in-law by the aid of poisoned gifts. To make her revenge complete, she will kill her children to wound Jason and to protect them from counter-revenge by Creon's allies and friends. Many scholars now believe that the murder of Medea's children was Euripides' addition to the myth; in older versions, the children were killed by Creon's friends in revenge for the death of the king and princess. The Chorus begs Medea to reconsider these plans, but Medea insists that her revenge must be complete.

Jason enters again, and Medea adapts a conciliatory tone. She begs him to allow the children to stay in Corinth. She also has the children bring gifts to the Corinthian princess. Jason is pleased by this change of heart.

The Tutor soon returns with the children, telling Medea that the gifts have been received. Medea then waits anxiously for news from the palace. She speaks lovingly to her children, in a scene that is both moving and chilling, even as she steels herself so that she can kill them. She has a moment of hesitation, but she overcomes it. There is no room for compromise.

A messenger comes bringing the awaited news. The poisoned dress and diadem have worked: the princess is dead. When Creon saw his daughter's corpse, he embraced her body. The poison then worked against him. The deaths were brutal and terrifying. Both daughter and father died in excruciating pain, and the bodies were barely recognizable.

Medea now prepares to kill her children. She rushes into the house with a shriek. We hear the children's screams from inside the house; the Chorus considers interfering, but in the end does nothing.

Jason re-enters with soldiers. He fears for the children's safety, because he knows Creon's friends will seek revenge; he has come to take the children under guard. The Chorus sorrowfully informs Jason that his children are dead. Jason now orders his guards to break the doors down, so that he can take his revenge against his wife for these atrocities.

Medea appears above the palace, in a chariot drawn by dragons. She has the children's corpses with her. She mocks Jason pitilessly, foretelling an embarrassing death for him; she also refuses to give him the bodies. Jason bickers with his wife one last time, each blaming the other for what has happened. There is nothing Jason can do; with the aid of her chariot, Medea will escape to Athens. The Chorus closes the play, musing on the terrible unpredictability of fate.

Medea Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Medea is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

How are Jason and Medea both delusional?

In his arrogance, Jason believes himself to be invincible. He believes that his ambition is more important than morality.

Medea is delusional in her belief that she and Jason share a destiny. She is also delusional in her refusal to consider the...

How are life and death shown as extensions of exile from Corinth in Medea?

One important example of life and death as an extension from exile can be found in Medea's belief that by killing her children she will save them from sharing in her fate.

How does Euripides position the audience to sympathise with Medea?

Euripides positions the audience to sympathize with Medea by presenting her as a wronged woman, who has benn cruelly and callously cast aside by the man she loves.

Study Guide for Medea

Medea study guide contains a biography of Euripides, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Medea
• Character List
• Lines 1-356 Summary and Analysis

Essays for Medea

Medea literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Medea.

• Analysis of Medea as a Tragic Character
• Medea's Identity
• Witchy Women: Female Magic and Otherness in Western Literature
• Medea: Feminism in a Man's World
• Medea and Divinity

Lesson Plan for Medea

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Medea
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Medea Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Medea

• Introduction

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Medea — Theme Of Symbolism In Medea

Theme of Symbolism in Medea

• Categories: Medea

About this sample

Words: 754 |

Published: Mar 14, 2024

Words: 754 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

5 pages / 2351 words

1 pages / 655 words

3 pages / 1264 words

5.5 pages / 2475 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Medea

Medea, the infamous character from Greek mythology, is often remembered for her betrayal of her husband, Jason. Medea's betrayal is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars for [...]

The ancient Greek tragedy "Medea" by Euripides is a timeless work of literature that delves into the complexities of human nature, love, revenge, and the role of women in society. While written over two millennia ago, the [...]

In Euripides' tragedy "Medea," the protagonist Medea embodies the characteristics of a tragic hero, a concept central to ancient Greek literature. Medea's journey is marked by profound emotional turmoil, moral conflict, and a [...]

In conclusion, the revenge quotes in Euripides' Medea offer a powerful exploration of justice, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked anger. Medea's quotes not only reveal her intense desire for revenge but also delve into [...]

How far is it true to say that Medea loses her identity throughout Euripides' Medea. Perhaps in order to address this title, it is necessary to look for a definition of 'identity'. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as [...]

Critics have noted that unlike his illustrious predecessors who also specialized in Greek tragedy, Euripides bears a far greater sensibility towards the marginalized sections of society such that many of his prominent characters [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free