Medea Lines

Top of Scene Three

You, with that scowling expression, raging against your husband - Medea - I order you to leave my territory. And take your two children with you. Do not delay! It is my decree, and I will see it done. I won’t return home until you are cast from the boundaries of my land.

Creon, what is your reasoning for banishing me?

I am afraid of - No need to hide this truth. Afraid that you may harm my daughter. Many factors contribute to this anxiety. You’re a clever woman, well versed in the evil arts. Your husband rejected you, which enrages you. I’ve received reports that you have made threats against my daughter, Jason, and even myself. While preemptive, this is an act of self-defense. It is better to earn your hatred now than to be soft-hearted and come to regret my kindness.

But let me live in Corinth. I was wronged, but I will bear my wrongs in silence, yielding to my betters.

Your words are gentle, but my blood runs cold to think what plots you may be nursing deep in your heart. In fact, I trust you so much less now than before. A quick-tempered woman, or for that matter, a man, is easier to deal with than the clever type who holds her tongue. No. You must go. No more speeches. The matter is settled. It’s not possible for you, my enemy, to stay in the country.

I’m begging you - don’t send me away

Don’t waste your breath. You’ll never persuade me.

Will you drive me out, and give me no heed to my prayers.

I will, for I love my family more than you.

Oh my country! How I remember you now!

I love my country, too - second only to my children.

Alas, love’s a miserable thing for mortal men.

That would depend on the luck that goes along with it.

Oh Zeus! Never forget who caused this!

Go you foolish woman! Spare me the pain of forcing you.

I’m spared no pain. I lack no pain to be spared me.

Then you’ll be removed by force by one of my men.

No, Creon, not that! Please, I’m begging you.

Woman, you seem to want to make a scene.

I will go into exile. That isn’t what I’m begging for.

Why then are you trying to coerce me? Let go of my hand!

But I weep for them; their fate is very hand.

I’m not a tyrant. But by showing mercy I’ve often been the loser. Even now, I know I am making a mistake. All the same, you shall have your wish. But let me be clear: if the morning’s sunlight finds you, within the borders of this country, you or your children - you’ll be put to death. Take my word, I won’t show you mercy. If you must stay, stay for this one day alone. For in that time you can’t cause the harm I fear.

Top of Scene 4

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen your temper make things worse. Fatally so. You could’ve stayed in Corinth, still lived in this house, if only you had quietly accepted the arrangements of those power. Instead, you talked like a fool and now you are exiled. It makes no difference to me: go on as long as you like reciting Jason’s crimes. But for what you have said against the royal family think yourself lucky to be let off with banishment. I’ve tried to calm the king down - to get him to let you stay. But he has a vicious temper. And you just wouldn’t stop this silly rage, always slandering the royal house. That’s why you’ve got to leave the country.

Still, I won’t neglect my family. I’ve carefully considered the situation and I’ve come here to look out for you, so you and the children won’t be thrown out with nothing. Exile brings with it all sorts of hardships. Although you may well hate me, I could never think badly of you.

When partners fight like this, anger can push them beyond compromise.

I must, it seems, practice my rhetorical skills, and, like the skillful captain of a ship, shorten my sails to outrun the blasts of your bitter tongue.

In my view, you overestimate your kindness to me. I credit only Aphrodite for saving my life. You are clever enough - but I don’t need to go into the whole story of how Eros’ arrows compelled you to keep me safe. I won’t go into too much detail.

In so far as you helped me, you did well enough. But as to the question of “saving me,” our relationship benefitted you more than me.

Firstly, instead of living among barbarians, you inhabit a Greek land, experiencing justice. Governed by laws instead of mere brute force. Is that no benefit?!

And all the Greeks recognize you as a wise woman. You’re famous for it! If you were living at the ends of the earth, nobody would have heard of you. Is that no benefit?!

Remember it was you who started the argument.

As for your attack on my wedding with the princess: here I will prove that, first, it was a clever move, secondly, a wise one, and finally, that I made it in your best interests and the children’s.

Please keep calm.

When I arrived here as an exile from Iolcus, I brought with me many troubles - what luckier chance could I have come across than to marry the king’s daughter? It wasn’t that I grew tired of our marriage bed, or that I lusted after this new bride, nor that I had any wish for more children. We have enough already - I’m quite content.

The most important thing is for us to live well, and not be poor. Because even friends avoid a pauper. I want to raise my children properly, and to father brothers for your children, and put them on an equal footing and join the families, so we could all be happy. Your children would have been royals, their siblings future kings. Don’t you see that, Medea?

Friendless!

Medea!

I wish you happiness Medea. There is no better way to greet one’s friends.

Happiness to you, too, Aegeus. What brings you to Corinth

I just came from Delphi, the ancient oracle of Apollo.

The prophetic center of the earth? And why did you visit there?

To ask how I might have children.

Gods, you’re still childless at this age?

Yes, I am childless, some god is doing this to me.

Do you have a wife or have you stayed unmarried?

I have a wife.

And what did Apollo tell you?

Words wiser than a man can interpret.

Is it appropriate to share the prophesy with me?

Of course! It needs a clever mind like yours.

What was the prophecy? Tell me - if it’s all right to hear.

He told me this: “Don’t untie the wineskin’s foot…”

Until after you do what?

Until I return home.

Then why have you sailed here?

There is a man named Pittheus, king of Trozen

Pelops’ son. They say he’s a very holy man.

I want to ask his advice about the oracle.

Yes, he’s wise and an expert in these sorts of things.

And a good friend of mine.

Good luck. I hope you find what you desire

Why are your eyes so sad, your cheeks so pale?

Oh Aegeus, my husband has been so cruel to me.

What do you mean? Tell me truly - what has caused you this grief?

Jason betrayed me, though I never wronged him.

What do you mean?

He’s taken a new wife. She now rules his home instead of me.

Surely he would not dare do something so shameful.

But he has. He rejects me, the wife he used to love.

Did he fall in love, or did you grow apart?

Oh, passionately in love. He’s not trustworthy.

Leave him, then, since, as you say, he’s worthless.

His passion is to marry royalty.

Whose family? Finish the story.

Creon, the ruler of Corinth - his daughter.

Oh Medea, no wonder you’re upset.

I’m done for, finished. I’m being banished from this country.

By who? This is a second tragedy.

Creon has banished me from Corinth.

And Jason allows this? Disgraceful.

I know the sorts of medicines to use, and I can help you have many children.

Medea, I’d like to grant this favor to you, for many reasons. First, there’s the gods. Then, for the children you say I’ll produce. For there I’ve lost all sense of what to try. Here’s what I’ll do:

If you come to Athens, I’ll strive to treat you as a foreign guest - that’s the proper thing for me to do. But, Medea, I’ll give you fair warning: I won’t plot to get you out of Corinth.