All throughout history, betrayers have been looked
upon with contempt. Judas Iscariot. Benedict Arnold. Marcus Brutus. In Medea, however, Jason -the betrayer- is
not held to the same standard. Yet his betrayal nearly breaks Medea, so much so
that her nurse fears she will “creep alone to die” (10). Although Medea is clearly
the most affected by Jason’s treachery, the people around her suffer too. Medea’s
nurse is constantly worrying about Medea’s well-being. She even tells the
attendant to keep Medea’s sons away because she “[sees] a flame, [standing] in
[Medea’s] eye, as though she [hates] them” (12). Jason’s betrayal is not only
hurting his ex-lover, but it is also putting his two sons in danger.
The quote above relates directly to how Medea is feeling about Jason’s betrayal. She killed over and over for Jason, for his love. Now Medea spends “her days a waste of weeping” (10). Jason injured her heart, and it has a lasting effect. All that love she had for Jason is now “sick as with poison” (10). This sickness then turns to hate. Medea’s vow that she “yet will live to slay [Jason and his new wife]” (19) emphasizes the idea that "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". Her fury will be almost god-like in its power. Despite everything that is soon to come, the aftermath of Jason’s treachery does reveal a lesson about the very nature of betrayal. Even if a betrayal is directed at a specific person, multiple people will always be hurt, and the betrayer will always suffer for the act they committed. It is only a matter of time before Medea gets the revenge she so desperately desires, and Jason will realize how fine the line is between love and hate.
Jason and Medea fall into a cliché bully-victim relationship. Jason represents the bully; Medea represents the victim. Typically, the victim seeks revenge on the bully for tormenting him or her. By submitting to the cliché, Medea disregards the quote, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." Her actions will affect more people than she realizes.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Judas, Brutus, and Benedict Arnold, Jason has betrayed a woman, deemed foolish, weak, and whimful. This does not seem as sinful as betraying a man, portrayed as wise, strong, powerful, and equal. However, the tables turn when Jason foolishly acts on a whim and leaves Medea. He will be very surprised to find Medea possesses all qualities of a man and even more when it comes to seeking revenge. In the heat of passion, Medea has no equal.
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