Medea Euripides - 1 Analyze Term Paper

This double standard is prominent in Medea, for example when Jason admits that it is normal for women to get very angry when their husband is being unfaithful, yet he expects Medea to forget about it. (Euripides, ln 908-910) This is yet another way in which Medea parallels the position of women in our society today who are also expected to keep their feelings hidden.

Medea has an inclination towards killing people as a way to solve problems. Long before killing her husband's wife or her own children, she had killed her own brother in order to escape a difficult situation. As a representation of all women in Greek culture, this is not an out of character action, for women throughout Greek mythology have been murderous. (Not that men in Greek stories are any less ready to slay another living creature!) Some may consider Medea to be evil because she resorts to homicide so quickly, while others see her as a neutral force like many powerful beings throughout time that create and destroy without much discretion. It accomplishes the goal of getting revenge and is therefore an acceptable means for Medea to use. It is a natural thing for her to do, and she speaks of it as a very matter-of-fact occurrence."The most direct method is the best, the one at which I have a special skill." (Euripides) She is motivated by her own killing nature, which is common throughout all mythology.

Medea's character is complex but not unique; she has many characteristics in common with women in mythology, ancient culture, and modern society. Medea is from outside of society and therefore does not live by the rules of that society. She is supported by other women, despite her unacceptable behavior. Women in Greek culture were understood to be passionate and even violent internally, but were expected to keep a calm facade. This frustrating position is part of Medea's character as well. Finally, it is simply in Medea's nature to kill people if it will solve a problem she is having.

Bibliography

Burnyeat, M.F. "Excuses for Madness" London Review of Books. http://www.lrb.co.uk/v24/n20/burn02_.html

Euripides. Medea. Trans. Ian Johnson. http://www.mala.bc.ca/~johnstoi/euripides/medea.htm

Strijdom, Johan. "Restraining Rage: The Ideology of Anger Control in Classical Antiquity. (Review)" Scholia Reviews. http://www.classics.und.ac.za/reviews/0317har.htm.....