Medea Quotes - Paper 2

“My mistress then, Medea, never would have sailed away to reach the towers of Iolcus’ land; the sight of Jason never would have stunned her spirit with desire. She never would have persuaded Pelias’ daughters to kill their father.”

Use of diacope foreshadows Medea’s fate

“There is no greater security than this in all the world: when a wife does not oppose her husband.” - Nurse

Connects to family relationships / identity

“There’s no way to be her enemy and come out as the victor.” - Nurse

Use of foreshadowing

“The pain that I’ve suffered, I’ve suffered so much.” - Medea

“Rulers are fierce in their temperament; somehow, they will not be governed.” - Nurse

Connects to theme of power inequality / abuse of power

“I take no delight when this house is in pain.” - Medea

Expression of suffering, similar to The Yellow Wallpaper

“May a fire-bolt from heaven come shoot through my skull!” - Medea

Violent visual imagery and her tone of longing to die

“If a woman leaves her husband, then she loses her virtuous reputation. To refuse him is just not possible.” - Medea

Commentary on marital relationships, connection to The Yellow Wallpaper

“I have been deserted and outraged - left without a city by my husband, who stole me as his plunder from the land of barbarians. Here I have no mother, no brother, no blood relative to help unmoor me from this terrible disaster.” - Medea

Use of irony to muddle truth vs rhetoric - Medea as an unreliable narrator. Connects to Browning poems, Perkins-Gilman’s short stories.

“Oh, god - the harm Desire does to mortals!” - Medea

Explores themes of unchecked emotion and desire, links back to rulers uncapable of moderation. Connects to Robert Browning poems.

“Where will you turn? Where will you find shelter? What country, what home will save you from sorrow?” - Chorus

Use of three rhetorical questions emphasises Medea’s alienation and exile

“You are now an exile because of your own foolish words.” - Jason

Jason’s opinion that exile is a state one can choose potentially connects to Persepolis - Marjane sent to Austria.

“If you weren’t in the wrong, you would have told me your marriage plans, not kept us in the dark - your loved ones, your own family!” - Medea

Explores themes of truth vs rhetoric, self deception, familial and marital roles

“I wanted to save you and give our children royal brothers, a safeguard for our household.” - Jason

Explores acts of genuine self-deception - connects to Porphyria’s Lover.

“I was such a moron. I should have supported your plans, I should have made arrangements with you, I should have stood beside the bridal bed.” - Medea

Use of diacope highlights how Medea is masking her real emotions - connects to The Yellow Wallpaper

“You’ll leave poor me behind…. before I ever have the joy of seeing you blessed with fortune.” - Medea

Themes of motherhood and the roles of children

“She jumped up with flames all over her, shaking her hair, tossing her head around, trying to throw the crown off.” - Messenger

Violent imagery - connections to Browning and Persepolis

“If he used force, he tore the aged flesh off of his bones. He finally gave up, unlucky man; his soul slipped away when he could fight no longer.” - Messenger about Creon

Themes of parental sacrifice

“You who have descended to Hades’ halls because of your marriage to Jason.” - Chorus

topic of female blame

“Unhappy hand, act now. Take up the sword, just take it.” - Medea

Moment of crisis - disassociating

“O radiant beam of Helios, look down and see her… descended from you, the gods’ golden race.” - Chorus

Medea’s connection to Gods - can get away without consequences

“To reap with your own hand the crop that you bore; to cut down your kin” - Chorus

Imagery to discuss parental roles

“Lift her body into the sky of wings” - Jason

use of foreshadowing

“You’re not a woman; you’re a lion.” - Jason

Symbolism - Medea as an exile, viewed as inhuman

“The gods find a way, against all expectation, to do what they want, however surprising. And that is exactly how this case turned out.” - Chorus

Explores the role of Gods and how they do not intervene, creating an unsatisfactory ending. Links to Porphyria’s lover.