Medea, written by Euripides in 431 B.C., is the story of Medea (Greek: Μήδεια), a woman scorned by her unfaithful husband Jason, who vows revenge not only against him but all that he holds dear including his new wife and family. Medea was originally written as a tragedy, but it has also been adapted to various other forms of media including film, opera and musical theater. Medea is considered by some scholars to be the forerunner of feminist theatre. Medea was brought up in Athens on the instruction of her uncle Aegeus, king of Athens.
Medea’s father was Perseus, son of king of Colchis. Medea had one brother named Absyrtus. Medea grew into a woman, who fell in love with Jason while he had gone on his quest for the Golden Fleece. She helped him complete this quest by providing him with magic herbs which would protect him from Ares, god of war (Aegeus’ rival). After Medea’s half-brother Medius was killed by his own father, Aegeus, Medea fled from Colchis and returned to Medea. Medea then had a child named Medus. Medus later became the ancestor of a line of kings descended from Medea’s first husband, Jason.
After the quest for the Golden Fleece, Jason came back to Iolcus to claim his rightful throne as king of Thessaly. He promised Medea that he would let her return home if she supported him in this endeavor. In Euripides tragedy “Medea” Medeea agrees to help Jason after he swore an oath on Hera (the Queen Goddess) that he would let Medea return to her father should she help him.
Medea helped Jason gain his throne by giving him magical gifts. Medea’s magic shows included rejuvenating an old ram so that it appeared young, and showing the women how they could take rejuvenating herbs themselves to appear young forever. Mercury helped Medeaus by telling the women of Iolcus this secret while he was disguised as a shepherd boy.
Jason then took Medea as his wife. Medus eventually came to rule the kingdom after Jason died during a war in Thessaly against King Pelias, who had usurped Jason’s rightful kingship by claiming false lineage from Poseidon. Medus gained revenge for his father when he killed Pelias after Medea had deceived Pelias’ daughter into killing her father. Medus later ruled the kingdom of Medea in Colchis, after Medea left with Jason.
Medean culture was also well known for its skill in medicine. Medearis is said to have fathered at least two sons by Medea who were Argonauts: Apsyrtus, and Alcimenes. These brothers accompanied their mother when she journeyed with Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece. They survived the fire-breathing bulls that King Aeetes unleashed upon them when they reached Colchis.
Medea used deception to further injure Jason, but not without consequences. After Medeea tricked Pelias’s daughter into killing her father, Medea was later forced to escape from Colchis because Jason had become afraid of her and Medeea’s gift of prophecy. Medea took their children ( Medus and Alcimenes ) along with her. Medea left Medea when she was in Corinth with his two sons. Medina left Corinth to return to Athens where Aegeus s lived at the time. When Medeea fled from Jason, they both agreed that one would meet once a year in order to discuss their children.
Medea met alone with King Aegeas while meeting in his temple, unbeknownst to the daughters of the king whom Aegeas confided in: Acastus, son of Pelias whose father Medea had killed, and Alcestis. Medeaus eventually remarried to King Creon’s daughter Glauce who burned to death when Medea sent her a wedding dress covered in poison. Medea was later forgiven by the Gods for her murder of Medus because Jason broke his oath with Medina, thus upsetting Hera . Medeus taught Jason magic as well as how to enter the underworld after Medus died from an accident while hunting with some friends.
Medea is a woman who uses her power to get what she wants. Medea, betrayed by her husband Jason, turns to revenge in order to clear herself. Medea decides that instead of enduring the pain that was inflicted on her by Jason, she will inflict pain back onto him and his homeland.
This story starts out with Medea stating how much Medea loves Jason. She states “I love my husband,” Medea 2:12 Euripides translation). Medea speaks fondly of how wonderful Jason is as a man and even compares him to the sun for his charm. The next line suggests another possible reason why Medea fell in love with Jason could be because he made her believe that he saved her life by taking her away from Medea’s father. Medea continues to speak of how good Jason is saying “he always did everything he could so I would think he loved me” Medea 2:13 Euripides translation).
Medea speaks of the promises that were made which include citizenship in Corinth, land, and further protection for Medea. Medea then goes on to explain that she should have known that Jason was lying about loving her because no one has ever truly loved Medea. The deception began when Medea’s father asked Medea to come home to help with a situation involving their family crops. While Medea was gone, Jason married another woman who had more power than Medea. When she returned Medea discovered that her husband had moved on and married another woman Medea 2:15 Euripides translation).
Medea was upset with the abandonment and betrayal she felt. Medea started out as a loving wife who ended up getting betrayed by her husband Jason. Medea spoke of promises and how they were broken and furthering the betrayal Medea’s father was killed on his own land by people working for Medea’s new step-mother (Jason’s new wife).
Medea decides to seek revenge on those who betrayed her. She first kills Medea’s children since they are part of her husband’s blood line Medea 2:17 Euripides translation). The servants try to convince Medea not to kill them because Medea would have no support without her children Medea 2:21 Euripides translation). Medea is so hell bent on revenge that she kills her own children. Medea plans on killing Jason next but before Medea can get the chance, Medea kills herself so that she will be with her children.
