The Ethics of the Chorus

The chorus greatly reveres Medea and sympathizes with not only her, but the plight of women. They feel compelled to assume the duty to be advocates for not just her injustices, but a bias commonly seen in their society. In their first song/ode, they explore the gender roles as if they were reversed. Men would be known as “deceitful” and women would be viewed for their honor. They yearn for more heroines to be depicted in plays and art. The chorus also expresses despise for all men and speak freely on behalf of oppressed women. “Without grace may he perish who does not treat his loved ones honorably unbolting his heart in pure love” (658-661). In other words, they would choose to show no respect for any man who wrongs his wife in such a way, not just Jason. They are Medea’s support-system, motivated by moral right and wrong principals. When the chorus first hears Medea’s cries, they remark, “For the great injustice she suffers, she invokes Themis keeper of oaths, daughter of Zeus” (206-207). The chorus is alluding to the goddess of justice, who would have compassion for Medea’s despondency.  They are immediately appalled by such heart wrenching screams and are ethically moved to rush to Medea’s beckon. After Jason defends his decision to flee and marry Creon’s daughter, the chorus still believes he is “not to be doing the right thing” (576) in his decision and is abandoning his wife. Even when Medea’s wrath peaks and she reveals an intention of killing her loved ones, the chorus believes Medea is goodhearted and would not actually take vengeance with murder. They give her the benefit of the doubt because they are so moved by her case, and are motivated by their own morals they become blind of Medea’s.

This quote applies to every character in the play; especially Medea and the Chorus as a unit, who hear what Jason has to say in his defense for abandoning his wife. What the Chorus and Medea assume to do after Jason's plea is the "greatest ethical test" and will reveal how they will handle the utmost problematic dilemma that exists in society: to forgive and forget or to seek revenge.