Medea's BFF

Throughout the play, the Chorus serves as a narrator and voice of morality for Medea. At first, they sympathize with her situation, saying “But still to me — even if I speak out of character —

you seem, in abandoning your wife, not to be doing the right thing” (577-578). However, as the play progresses, their support for the strong female wanes. Medea’s decision to murder her children causes a change in sentiment towards her. From then on, the Chorus repeatedly begs her to reconsider her choice. This change in tone by the Chorus serves to emphasize the dramatic effect of the play. The events become even more tragic because the Chorus voices the opinions that most of the readers have. They become a megaphone for the audience but are still tragically ignored. Interestingly, despite their protests to Medea’s plans, the Chorus does not notify Jason of his children’s impending deaths; they are loyal to Medea. After she murders her children, the Chorus then speaks to Jason, saying, “Your children are dead, killed by their mother's hand” (1307). Even this statement is devoid of criticism. The Chorus disagreed with Medea’s actions, but they still refuse to betray her. Because they are composed of female members, this gives the Chorus the character of a female best friend. Throughout the dramatic unfolding, this group of female confidantes give Medea advice. This creates the image of a community of women working together to combat they wrongs committed against them (in this case, adultery). Perhaps, Euripides created this effect to make a statement about the strength of women.

Euripides uses Medea to show the power of an individual angry woman while Medea and the Chorus demonstrate the depth that female secrecy and loyalty transcend. This contrasts with the disloyalty shown by Jason.