Introduction to ‘Medea’
EURIPEDES
Euripides’ Plays
Euripides was born in 480BC and died in 406BC.
Euripides’ was one of three famous tragic poets
of Ancient Greece. The other two were Aeschylus
and Sophocles.
He often confronted his audiences with new and
disturbing interpretations of old stories / myths.
Euripides wrote more than 90 plays.
‘Medea’ is Euripides’ most popular
tragedy, Written sometime around 431BC.
The play was not initially successful, but
has since become one of his most famous
and commonly performed plays.
Genre: ‘Medea’; a tragedy
Tragedy is rooted in ancient Greek dramas like
those written by Euripides. It influenced later
tragic writers such as William Shakespeare.
Tragedy typically involves; a protagonist who
falls from prosperity to misery, through a
series of reversals or changes as a result of a
‘tragic flaw’in their character.
The flaws were often ignorance; foolishness;
passion and emotion; greed and ambition.
‘Medea’: Why so
popular?
‘Medea’ is still popular as the themes and ideas that the play
presents are as relevant now as they were in 431BC.
It’s about greed, betrayal, revenge, self-
interest, jealousy and murder. These are all common
themes of film and literature today.
It’s a shocking play for audiences to digest. A woman who kills her
children in an act of revenge.
 Euripides wants to show his audience that tragedy occurs when
hate becomes greater than love.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Medea herself is something of an enigma.
For most people she is a villainous murderer, a
child-killer. For others she is a brave, determined
and proud woman who refuses to bow to the will
of the men who have wronged her.
And what of Jason? A self-absorbed
womaniser? Or should we pity him?
The play in a nutshell:
When the play opens, the Nurse reports that Medea has been deserted
by her husband, Jason, who plans to marry Princess Glauce of Corinth
to improve his position. This comes as a double blow, because Medea
had betrayed her own family earlier and had come with him to Corinth,
so she is now isolated. Medea plans to revenge herself on Jason, the
Princess and her father, King Creon.
She manages to fatally poison the Princess and the King, and to
complete Jason’s suffering, she plans to kill her two sons. After much
internal debate, she kills them and then, after an argument with Jason,
escapes to Athens in a chariot drawn by winged dragons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvOsfyX5GF0
Task:
Read the handout, ‘Plot Summary’.
Complete the 10 plot-based questions.
Plot-based questions:
1.
Why was Medea banished from her own society?
2.
Who does Jason leave Medea for?
3.
Why does King Creon intend to banish Medea?
4.
What secret does Medea reveal to the chorus of Corinthian women?
5.
What are Jason’s reasons for marrying another woman?
6.
Why does Aegeus agree to shelter Medea in Athens?
7.
How does Medea plan to kill Princess Glauce?
8.
How does Medea react to the news of King Creon’s unexpected death?
9.
Who kills Medea and Jason’s children and why?
10. How does Medea escape Corinth?