Medea (#3)

Medea has remained true to her new, revengeful self for most of the play, and has devoted herself to creating a master plan. She succeeds in devising one, along with evaluating every consequence, including the necessity of “[killing her] children” (792) in order to prevent [leaving them] in hostile territory for [her] enemies to abuse” (780-781). Arrangements are made and the plan is about to be set in motion when the woman of unfaltering hatred and revenge falters. This ironic moment shows how Medea is only pure cold within the recesses of her own calculating mind, but when presented with reality, must face her own emotions. The visage of her children’s faces poisons her will to simply use them as pawns in her plan, and so she “will take [her] children with [her]” (1044) when she flees Corinth. This one break in her persona is the one point in which she can reform her deeds and intentions. The gods give her this moment to put life and love into perspective – she loves her children, and so she moves spares them from harm. She still loves Jason to an extent, and so this moment is where she can turn all on its head and spare him by dissolving her plan. However, she (un-ironically) refuses this opportunity of salvation, denoting it as “cowardice,” stating that “these things must be endured” (1050). She continues with her plan as intended, continuing down the tragic spiral, choosing revenge over her love for her children.