Untitled Flashcards Set

I. Overview of Greek Tragedy & Euripides’ Style

  • Greek tragedy explores fate, the gods, and human suffering.

  • Euripides is known for his psychological depth and focus on marginalized characters, particularly women.

  • Medea is unique for its portrayal of a powerful, intelligent, and vengeful woman.

II. Plot Summary of Medea

  • Medea, a sorceress and wife of Jason, is betrayed when he marries another woman, Glauce.

  • Medea’s rage leads her to kill Glauce, King Creon (Glauce’s father), and her own children.

  • She escapes in a chariot provided by the sun god Helios, her divine ancestor.

III. Key Themes & Topics

1. The Role of Women’s Intelligence and Power

  • Medea is intelligent, articulate, and capable of manipulation (e.g., persuading Creon to give her one more day).

  • She uses her cunning to exact revenge, defying the expectations of submissive Greek women.

  • Her power challenges the male-dominated world but also leads to destruction.

2. Witchcraft and the Fear of Women’s Power

  • Medea’s identity as a foreign sorceress adds to her otherness and fear factor.

  • Greek society often associated magic with women, seeing it as unnatural or dangerous.

  • Her knowledge of poisons (used to kill Glauce) reinforces her status as a feared figure.

3. Loyalty and Betrayal

  • Medea’s extreme devotion to Jason (helping him obtain the Golden Fleece) contrasts with his betrayal.

  • Jason justifies his actions as pragmatic, prioritizing social advancement over emotional bonds.

  • Medea’s vengeance is both personal and symbolic—an act against the broader injustices faced by women.

4. Hubris and the Consequences of Defying the Gods

  • Jason’s downfall stems from his arrogance and disregard for divine justice.

  • Medea, though victorious, is left isolated—her extreme vengeance separates her from humanity.

  • Unlike traditional tragic figures, Medea does not suffer divine punishment but is also not fully triumphant.

5. The Role of the Mother in Greek Society

  • Medea’s murder of her own children is the ultimate transgression against motherhood.

  • Greek women were expected to be nurturing and self-sacrificing, making her act especially horrifying.

  • Her actions question whether maternal love is innate or if circumstances can override it.

IV. Key Characters

  • Medea – A vengeful, intelligent, and emotionally complex woman who defies social norms.

  • Jason – A pragmatic yet callous figure who seeks power at the cost of loyalty.

  • Creon – The king of Corinth, whose fear of Medea leads to his downfall.

  • Glauce – Jason’s new wife, an innocent yet passive character.

  • The Chorus – Corinthian women who sympathize with Medea but are horrified by her actions.

V. Important Passages & Analysis

  1. Medea’s monologue (on the plight of women) – Highlights gender inequality in Greek society.

  2. Medea’s debate with Jason – Showcases her rhetorical skill and exposes Jason’s selfish logic.

  3. The final scene (Medea escaping in Helios’ chariot) – Challenges traditional tragic endings; Medea is not punished but remains an outcast.