Medea Who is Who Nurse Tutor Slaves King

Medea

Who is Who? • Nurse & Tutor – Slaves • King Aeetes – Father of Medea; Golden Fleece; King of Colchis; son • Pelias – Jason’s uncle; usurper of throne; King of Iolcus; daughters • Argo – Jason’s ship; men-Argonauts • Creon – King of Corinth; daughter

Nurse Speaks • Reflecting on the past that has now caused the present disaster. – Medea LOVES!!!!! Jason • KILLS DRAGON GUARDING FLEECE • KILLS BROTHER TO ESCAPE FATHER • MANIPULATES PELIAS’ DAUGHTERS TO KILL HIM SO THAT JASON CAN BE THE RIGHTFUL KING • BOTH MUST ESCAPE THEIR HOMELANDS • PASSIONATE PERSON • WILL GET REVENGE AT ALL COST!!!!! • ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT HER FEELINGS

In Corinth • Jason has married the King’s daughter while still married to Medea and father to their boys. He wants power. He has lost the throne from his home because of Medea’s actions. He now needs to find a way to get power that he believes he justly deserves. • Personification of Jason and Medea’s love – Disease – not just a simple illness that one gets over. This is a deadly disease. Someone or more is going to die!!!!

More… • Metaphor – Jason is lying on a royal wedding bed. Marriage to the princess. • Medea’s reaction: – Cries out to the gods for validation of her pain – Won’t eat; always in tears; wasting away – Simile – listens as if a stone. Her feelings of understanding are non-existent. No point in trying. However, this will give Medea the opportunity to manipulate the women of Corinth. – Irony – “white neck…. ” – pure, innocent • She is anything but that. This image allows her to manipulate others.

Foreshadowing • • Now she hates her children When she sees them, there is no joy in her I’m afraid she may be up to some new mischief. She’ll not put up with being treated badly. – Key word – “not” – it’s not that she “can’t”; she ABSOLUTELY WON’T!!! • Pick up sword and stab herself • Kill the king and bridegroom Jason • She’s a dangerous woman

Medea vs Corinthian Women • Thinking woman- dangerous – can’t be controlled. • Has a strong sense of “self” – all about her • Manipulator • Barbarian – has no real home • Sorceress 1. Subservient – submissive to men 2. Weak 3. Accepting their place in life – do not challenge

Nurse vs Tutor • Nurse – although a woman, appears to have more power than the tutor – Speaks to Nature – Leaves Medea in house alone – Sees ignorance of man in society • Tutor – acknowledges the role of men in the Greek world – Poor fool – Creon banishing Medea and kids – Jason is all about Jason; uses women for his own purpose - power

Nurse • Curses Jason – then not • Euripedes give voice to truth of Greek men through the voice of Tutor (man) – Men are egotistical; arrogant; no concern for family when there is no longer a need. • Nurse – protector of the children – I’ve seen her look at them with savage eyes • “savage” image – animalistic; barbarian; uncivilized; beyond angry – Her anger will not end until she gets revenge

• • • Medea’s Mood “I wish I could die” - manipulation “She’s fierce… headstrong by nature” “The cloud of bitter grief rising inside just a start” – mushroom cloud is about to show reality “temper…soon catch fire” – rage will consume her “Passionate soul, hard to restrain” “heart’s been bitten…” – Bite of Satan’s evil

Medea…. • Curses her children – truth of her attitude – Hateful mother – Die with your father and his bride • Nurse – Reflects of her needs – Life is good when you live a moderate life – Gods will bring justice to man depending on man’s attitude – humble-good life; arrogant - destroyed

Chorus • Corinthian women • Naïve • Believe that they are on the same level with Medea. Don’t understand why she is so upset. They deal with this all the time and more. • Why long for death’s marriage bed (metaphor)…. should not pray for it…. (line 150 ---) • Death is forever as a marriage is for a woman. No way out…. • “we’ve been friends”. Not Really!!!! • Hyperbole – “tears are washing her life away”

Medea’s Manipulation • “Why can’t a bolt of lightning strike me. I want death to come and sweep me away. Let me escape this life of suffering. ” Let the gods do it; she really doesn’t want to commit suicide. • I’ve done nothing to provoke any man to push me out. • I left you behind in my disgrace of killing my brother. – She regrets this now…Not really, just didn’t help with her relationship with Jason.

Nurse • Simile regarding Medea’s mood with servants. – Like a bull – see red; murderous look – Like a lioness with cubs. - kills to protect children; irony--- this does not relate to Medea’s feelings toward her children.

Medea to Women • She is the Greek Feminist to the point that Euripedes is giving women a voice against the cruelty he sees from men against women. • However, Medea is the EXTREME…she uses the women for her own benefit…not theirs. • She will use their silence as a tool to her success. • My life is gone; I want to die; my husband has done me wrong. You still have family. I have nothing (does not accept responsibility for that as well) PLAYS THE VICTIM!!!

Role of Medea as a woman • Given away in marriage – no choice – paid for like cattle • Husband owns us • Can’t divorce him; he can play as much as he likes. We must stay home and take care of family, home, etc. • Medea difference – would rather fight in battle than give birth to a baby. (gives idea of her character)

Manipulation of women • • I’m alone I have no city I’m abused I’m a trophy No mom, brother, city, etc. POOR ME!!!!! Vow of silence from women – They say ok; they understand her plight. • THEY HAVE BEEN FOOLED AND DON’T KNOW IT…YET

Creon vs Medea • “You there, Medea…. ” –tone is somewhat friendly by calling her by her name • Ordering her out of Corinth • “…cast you out…” – just as God cast out Satan, Creon gives himself the same power • Medea – “set full sail against me” – imagery – ship at full sail- wind carries it quickly. She is unable to stop the inevitable.

Manipulation Begins • Medea – What have I done? -innocent • Creon – “I’m afraid of you” – admits defeat to a woman. What does he have to lose…she will be gone. . . nobody will know… • “you are a clever woman” • “experienced in evil” • Rumors – you are making threats • Mood changes --- “Woman…. . ”

Medea - Manipulator • It’s her father’s fault that she is so educated. • “No man with any sense should ever educate his children…” • Because I have an independent thought as a woman…man discards me… • “If you offer fools…quite useless, or someone wise…” • “For I’m a knowledgeable woman…shy…envy…hostile…. ”

Manipulation continues “I’m not that clever…” “Have I hurt you? . . . ” I’m the victim of other’s jealousies “I’ll obey the rulers and stay silent” This really concerns people No problem when you are ranting and yelling, stomping their feet. No time to think and plan Silence - Deadly

Creon • “I trust you even less than I did before” • “Passionate people, women as well as men, are easier to protect oneself against, than someone clever who keeps silent. ” • She is a passionate person. Extreme in her thoughts. It’s easier to have control over the situation when someone is busy screaming. “Quiet” – thinking, planning, MORE DANGEROUS

MEDEA • Begins to beg…. • Plays on his love and concern as a father, parent. • Give me one day to plan for my dear children • Creon – derogatory “woman” • Give her no individuality…. • Foolish woman

One Day • Creon’s deadly mistake • Discounts her ability to do anything in one day • “for a tyrant my will is by nature tender” – Irony – When would a tyrant ever be tender? Usually cruel and unjust

Medea’s True Character • “Do you think I’d prostrate …” • She laughs at his stupidity- “…man’s become completely foolish…” • She gave him a false sense of security • She is looking out for her own safety. . . thinks through her plans carefully. – Stabbing – Fire – POISON – BEST SKILL

MEDEA • Gives herself to the evil head of witches – HECATE • “…who lives with me deep inside my home…” – Home = soul = complete evil • Her main concern – being laughed at. . • Talks in second person – Come Medea… – You…. .

Medea vs Chorus • Changes “I” to “we” – takes away personal responsibility • Gives all women evil characteristics – We have a woman’s nature…. • Chorus – Women now getting power – Evil that men do is catching up with them – Women will not get the respect they deserve

Medea vs Chorus • She puts her self on a higher level over the Corinthian women. • “…you trace your line from a noble father and from Helios, the sun. ” • Chorus – Metaphor – heart on fire = Medea’s extreme emotion – passion = rage = evil – Jason is to blame – victim = hounded (treated like a dog)

Jason vs Medea • • Condescending, arrogant. Immediate attack on Medea Holds no responsibility for his own actions If you just acted like every other woman, I wouldn’t have any problems – You could have stayed here – You’d agreed – Patience – Stupid chatter – Speak against Creon

More • He’s not at fault. Perfect mediator – Tries to appease Creon – Vicious temper – Her silly rage – Bad mouthing royal house – Woman – Forgiving man

Medea vs Jason • • Attacks his manhood He is evil I saved your life I killed the dragon I rescued you from death I killed Pelias I’ve given you everything!!!!!!! You dump me for a “pretty, pretty princess”

More • Right hand of marriage – vow of life commitment; held by the gods as well. • Sarcasm – go to Pelia’s daughters for help…I just had them chop up their father • I killed all these people because of my love for YOU!!!!

Jason’s Truth