Medea Tutor/Messenger Lines

But her children are done playing. Here they come, unaware of their mother’s issues. Little minds don’t like to linger on pain.

You! Ancient fossil of my mistress’s house—why are you out here alone, standing near those gates and crying out your troubles to… yourself? How on earth is Medea willing to part with you?

Elderly attendant of Jason’s children…

…bad luck of my mistress.

Has the poor woman not stopped crying?

Oh, I envy you. Her suffering is just beginning; she’s not even halfway through!

That idiot—if I may say such things about our masters—

She knows nothing of our newest troubles.

And what are those, old man?

Don’t just refuse to tell me!

Oh, it’s nothing. I’m sorry I even brought it up.

By your own beard, don’t you keep this from a fellow slave! If necessary, I’ll keep quiet about it.

Well, I heard from someone who was talking—I pretended I wasn’t listening—as I approched the gaming tables, where the old timers sit along that sacred fountain? The Pirene? That he intends to drive these children from Corinth along with their mother—

The king, Creon!

Whether or not that story is reliable… I have no idea. But I would hope that it’s not.

And will Jason protect the children from this, even though he’s got a disagreement with their mother?

Old marriages fall short of new ones, and that man is no friend to this house.

We’re done for, then, if we’ll be adding a new evil to the old before we’ve even seen it out!

But you need to be quiet! It’s not the right time to let your mistress know about this. So don’t. Say. A word.

Children, do you hear what kind of father you were stuck with? I hope he dies—

—doesn’t perish in a slow and painful manner… because he is my master. But he is certifiably awful to his loved ones.

Well, who isn’t? Have you just now realized that all men love themselves more than their neighbors? Some are justified, others do it for their own gain—and so, Jason loves his new marriage more than his children.

(To live with another concubine.)

Top of Act 2, Scene 2

My Lady! Your children have been released from exile, and the princess was so pleased by the gifts that she received them with her own two hands! And so the children are at peace with her! Ah!

Why are you standing there in distress, when everything is going well? Why are you turning away from me? The things I’ve said, aren’t you happy to hear them?

Ah!

That definitely doesn’t fit what I just said.

Ah! Ah!

Did I tell you something bad? Was I wrong to think this was good news?

You’ve said what you’ve said! I’m not blaming you for it.

Why are you staring at the ground and crying then?

I have my reasons, old man!

The gods and I, with my evil mind, have made it so.

Cheer up! You’ll come home someday. The children can help you out.

I will lead other things back to their home long before then. Horrible woman that I am.

You can’t be the only woman separated from your children. Sometimes it’s necessary for mortal folks to bear pain.

My friends. For a long time now…

…That excited breathing indicates he’s announcing some new evil.

You—you’ve done a horrible thing, against the law—Medea, run! Run, and take a ship or chariot if you can!

And what’s happening that warrants such a flight?

They’re dead, just now, the king’s daughter and her father—Creon—because of your poisons!

What beautiful words you’ve said! As of now, I’ll count you among my friends and benefactors.

What the fuck? Are you in your right mind, lady, or are you insane? You’ve committed a crime against the royal household and you’re happy to hear about it, not afraid?

I have some words I could say in response to yours. So don’t be hasty, dear friend—just tell me. How did they die? You will cheer me up twice over if they died in utter agony.

When your children came with their father…

(monologue)