Betrayal is defined as the violation of trust that produces moral and psychological conflict within a relationship between individuals. Overcoming a betrayal is a long, tedious process that causes people to question everyone and everything in their life. In Medea, Jason’s betrayal deeply affects Medea’s sanity, forcing her into despair whilst feeling “brutally misused.” (112). Medea secludes herself from everyone, threatens to end her life, and “hates her children, takes no pleasure in seeing them.” (36). Jason’s infidelity goes far beyond losing Medea’s trust and breaking her heart, as their children are also emotionally affected. Although their children are unaware of the full extent of their parents’ relationship, they sense that something is off with their mother. Furthermore, Euripides’ conscious decision to have the children remain nameless throughout the story enhances their ignorance to the heart-wrenching situation.
In the cartoon shown above, the pirate is being betrayed by the parrot, his supposed best friend. Both, the pirate and Medea alike, are blindsided and hurt by those they trust most in their lives. Unfortunately people are often betrayed by their loved ones which results in the loss of trust and “affection turned to hatred” (16). Arguably, the best thing about betrayal is that it reveals people’s true intentions by providing a glimpse of their souls. Being “rejected by her husband” (20) forces Medea to learn that sometimes her perceptions of people are imprecise, but eventually everyone shows their true colors. Jason’s betrayal also encourages Medea to learn that in order to have a stable life for herself and her children, she must take matters into her own hands and rely solely on herself- “Let me stay for one day to make plans how we will manage in exile.” (40-41).
Medea exhibits Sigmund Freud's defense mechanism of displacement. She redirects her anger onto her innocent children when she says, "Unfathered children, God hate you" (8). The two nameless children become the true victims in the play. By leaving them nameless, Euripides emphasizes how they are just chess pieces in Medea's game of revenge.
ReplyDeleteMedea expresses her anger towards her own children. Although they are innocent and ignorant of the situation, they act as a reminder of her deceiving husband. When she looks at her children, she feels a sense of regret for marrying Jason and having kids with him. As you mentioned, her "affection turned into hatred," and she does not know who she can love or trust anymore.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for the children because their parents practically disown them. Their mother tells them that God hates them. Their father left them. As Sydney said, they are even nameless in the play which emphasizes their role. Jason had already betrayed his family but also caused Medea to turn against her own children.
ReplyDeleteA single act of betrayal from Jason cascades down, creating many more acts. It becomes a vicious cycle of retaliation seeking revenge for each transgression against a person. Medea feels slightly betrayed by Creon for kicking her out of the city, and so it is not unlikely that she will take personal revenge out on him. Too many lives becomes caught up in something that should be a purely personal matter, and many people are likely to suffer greatly from this wheel of betrayal and revenge.
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