Medea

 Medea

Initially I was not fond of Medea because she seemed like an irrational woman who despicably kills her own children to revenge a jerk of a guy. In my world even though the guy is gone "at least you have your children" is the consolation

According to www.faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/tragedy  scholars believe that older versions Creon's friends killed the children as revenge for the King and Prince and that it is a Euripides addition that it is Medea who kills the children.

Some characteristics of Medea put her behaviour into perspective; she is a barbarian, a sorceress, and has previously murdered. Both times wreaking havoc for Jason; they are constantly on the run.

The story also made more sense when put into the historical context of Athens at the height of power on the brink of another war; fear of the other.

It was time to find out more about Greek tragedies in general. Wikipedia here I come...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_tragedy

http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/Tragedy.htm
Origins: Tragedy's origins are obscure, but it apparently started with the singing of a choral lyric (called the dithyramb) in honor of Dionysus. It was performed in a circular dancing-place (orchestra) by a group of men who may have impersonated satyrs by wearing masks and dressing in goat-skins. (The Greek word tragoedia means "goat-song.") Eventually, the content of the dithyramb was widened to any mythological or heroic story, and an actor was introduced to answer questions posed by the choral group. (The Greek word for actor is hypokrites, which literally means "answerer." It is the source for our English word "hypocrite.") Tragedy was recognized as an official state cult in Athens in 534 BC. According to tradition, the playwright Aeschylus added a second actor and Sophocles added a third.
Performance: Greek tragedies were performed in late March/early April at an annual state religious festival in honor of Dionysus. The presentation took the form of a contest between three playwrights, who presented their works on three successive days. Each playwright would prepare a trilogy of three tragedies, plus an unrelated concluding comic piece called a satyr play. Often, the three plays featured linked stories, but later writers like Euripides may have presented three unrelated plays.

What struck me right away is that the tragedy form of plays is isolated to Athens during a festival.
An art form that is isolated to a city during a few days has endured the ages. I find that bizarre.
Let it be noted Euripides play came in last at the festival competition.
What also struck me is the formula of the tragedy; Initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouncement, conclusion. Much like modern movie formula's but we almost always have a happy ending. It is something we can count on when things aren't gong so well during the conflict portion of the story. Are we being denied proper moral lessons?
Another curiosity is that the characters are a interconnectedness of royalty and gods and that fate - hubris- is determined by these two realms. The gods seem to actively participate in peoples lives.
Also to note is that these stories are politically charged. It has been suggested that Medea would have been portrayed as a Persian, at the very least a barbarian, a foreigner, the enemy.

"Medea becomes a quasi-divine personification of the spirit that punishes oath breakers."
A quote from the introduction of our text Euripides.

According to www.gradesaver.com/medea/study-guide/major-themes/
the primary themes in Medea are; Passion, rage, revenge, pride, position of woman, the other, exile, cleverness, manipulation.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! At first I could not understand why Medea would kill her children; just take them and run is what I thought. Her anguish over Jason's betrayal is so extreme it forces Medea into many crimes of passion. Actions Medea claims were done to benefit Jason and secure his devotion to her. Unfortunately the outcome ended her in exile and Jason choosing another woman.

 I even fell for Jason story that this so called betrayal was actually to save and benefit Medea and her children page 83 line 575/page 84 line line 617 and thought it seemed kind that he wanted to give her money page 85 line 632-639.

However Medea's pride will not allow her enemies to  laugh at her page 94 line 818.and she does not trust that her children will be safe. She has reason to believe that Creon's family will seek vengeance on her children. This is the premise for most for the fairytales adapted by Disney - a vengeful stepmother. She fixates on the broken oath and her mental reasoning is put into question page 107 line 1145. Medea has a brief sense of calm and  reasoning ( a move away from her evil intentions) on page 97-104 lines 884-1074 but then has a sudden change of heart, she doesn't not to be a weakling (weak link) and "let a soothing word enter my mind" page 104 line 1075. Medea chooses to use the "force that's in my hand" page 104 line 178.

Medea's motivation is " to wound my husband the most deeply" page 95 line 840. It seems she feels she is suffering beyond reconciliation and  since she is convinced that her children will die anyhow it shall be by her hand and this will cause Jason suffering which is justice for breaking his oath. It's a moral position. Oddly Medea does others wrong through the whole story.

The struggle between passion and reason requires will power on the side of reason and a surrender. The passionate route is pure energy and action. There is power in revenge, standing up for oneself and ones beliefs, self worth and dignity. Not allowing others to do you wrong and excusing your wrong doings by rationalising the reasons/motivations and desired outcomes  and defending these actions. this however may not be sane. It is not an example of self control.

The Greeks are fascinated by fate as determined by the gods. It was interesting when Medea notes that" even the gods can be persuaded by gifts" page 101 line 991.

To this day mothers sacrifice their sons to fight a perceived enemy, I am referring to modern armies and wars.