Medea Before During and After Euripides Medea Medea

Medea Before, During, and After Euripides’ Medea

Medea: Character Profile F F F Niece of Circe Granddaughter of sun god Helios Woman of great passion F F Sorceress Priestess of Hecate, goddess of underworld

Jason F F F Jason’s uncle usurps his throne in Iolchos; sends Jason on quest Jason seeks Golden Fleece in M’s father’s kingdom (Colchis) Hera (Jason’s protector) gets Aphrodite to make M. fall for Jason

Promises Made F M will help J get Fleece F J will marry M Promises Kept FM murders own brother to slow father’s pursuit of J FJ marries M –They go to Iolchus

Jason’s Kingdom F F F M tricks J’s cousins into killing their own father J doesn’t get kingdom J + M get driven out of town; flee to Corinth

Euripides’ Medea F F J + M have 2 kids J has betrayed M – Engaged to Corinth king Creon’s daughter F F F King Creon banishes M and children M kills Creon + daughter, and her own kids in revenge M flees to Athens’ King Aegeus in Helios’ chariot

After the Play F F M marries, has son with Aegeus Tries to poison Aegeus’ first son Theseus (fails; is banished) Goes back to Colchis, helps father get kingdom back Eventually becomes immortal F J dies alone, in obscurity F Piece of his own ship falls on him

Things to Consider F F Who would the ancient Greeks blame for the tragedy? Who do you blame? What is Euripides’ opinion of women? What relevance does this story have for modern readers?