Senecan Tragedies Based on both Greek Roman themes

Senecan Tragedies • Based on both Greek & Roman themes • Influenced Elizabethan Drama • Theme of revenge • Many adaptations from Euripides • Written to be read • Introduced the five act structure

Euripides vs Seneca • • • The characterization of Medea The Chorus Violence on stage No helper (Aegeus) Final scene with the chariot Final lines of the play

Characterization of Medea • • Euripides Helpless, lonely, crying Presented by the nurse Enters later “Ah wretch!” Self-pity Unhappy mother Pawn of gods Hesitates • • Seneca Bold, full of hatred Enters at the start “O gods! Vengeance!” Set for revenge Mighty sorceress God-like No hesitation

The Chorus Euripides Seneca • Critical against a • Sympathetic strong, foreign woman towards a helpless • Average Citizen woman • Celebrate Jason’s • Women wedding • Blame Jason Medea’s character affects the attitude of the Chorus. Euripides’ Medea requires their help. Seneca’s Medea is independent of them.

Final Scene • • Euripides Already in the chariot Children already dead Their corpses at her feet Blames Jason for their death • • • Seneca Kills the children on stage and in front of Jason Takes responsibility for killing all Does not blame Jason Gestures and the chariot comes down Throws down the dead bodies

Final Lines • Euripides is reverent of the gods. Medea prays to gods and it is suggested that she becomes a victim of her fate determined by gods. • Seneca defies gods. Medea’s strength, her godlike manner makes the existence of gods irrelevant. She doesn’t need their help and she can take control of her own fate.