I. Is the major theme of this play the emotion of love vs. the emotion of hate?
A. The timelessness of Greek tragedy seems to lie in its ability to portray human emotions that do not change. Frequently one reads in today's papers about the tragedy of a parent who kills his spouse and children and then kills himself. Euripides creates in Medea a character so consumed with hate that she will murder her own children to avenge herself against her husband. Yet she provides an "escape hatch" for herself: she wants to live! Why is this so?
1. If Medea had not been a woman, would she have turned to such violent actions for her revenge? Could she have acted differently as a man?
2. Is there anything to admire in the character of Medea?
B. This play seems to conform to the classic requirements for a Greek tragedy in that it involves the fall of a character of "high estate" due to a "fatal/tragic" flaw in a drama taking place within 24 hours (what a difference a day makes!). In this case it seems to involve two characters: Jason and the King.
1. What are the tragic flaws that bring each one down?
2. Does Euripides's treatment of persons of lower estate (viz., the nurse and attendant, pp. 24-27) give a message to the audience that all things considered it's better to be born low than high?
3. What is the role of the chorus in this particular play and why do they seem to "befriend" Medea?
Some Key Passages to Reread
Medea's speeches on pp. 30-31; 46-47
Four chorus stanzas on pp. 35-36
Medea's speech and choral response, pp. 53-56
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