After postponing her exile, Medea makes the statement, “And besides we are women,/most helpless for the good,/but skilled craftsmen of all that is evil” (407-409). These three lines, spoken in retaliation for her husband’s betrayal, demonstrate the extent of Medea’s desire for revenge which is further reinforced when she announces her plans to kill her own children and Jason’s new bride. She ironically chooses to betray her blood, proclaiming “I grieve over the deed I must do” (791), to gain vengeance for her husband’s betrayal of her. Medea contradicts herself by telling Jason, “If you were still childless/ you could be excused for craving another marriage bed” (490-491). This statement suggests that Medea wants revenge for her children and not herself. She puts on a facade for Jason, pretending to be the “concerned mother” who is seeking to right the wrongs committed against her children, however, a few lines later, she states, “For I shall kill my children” (791). This hypocrisy detracts the readers’ sympathy from Medea and reveals her true manipulative nature.
However, it can be argued that her anger is justified. The argument for Medea rests solely in the her own words in Episode II when she confronts her husband with their past. Although Medea and Jason share this past, they are clearly divided on which details are most important. Medea’s remembrance of their history together entails a depiction of her as his hero. She even dares to emasculate him by proclaiming “I saved your skin” (476) and taking credit for his great deeds. She “held up the light of safety for [him] (482). Meanwhile, Jason holds much less sentimentality towards their past together and believes he is securing their future. This divergence on key beliefs is the basis of Medea’s anger. Adultery was common in the patriarchal Greek society, so in my opinion, Medea is truly angry about her position in life as a woman and Jason’s lack of appreciation for her.
(Medea and Jason need to read this book.)
Your post really opened my eyes to Medea's hypocrisy. It really shows just how blurred her view of morality really is saying she's getting revenge for her children, then after revealing her plot to kill them. Medea in the end is only doing this for herself.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to know that I'm not the only one seeing all of Medea's character flaws. Quite honestly she is not an enjoyable character, or should I say "fan-favorite." She is very jugdmental and opionated, and takes only her own opinions into account. I agree with you saying that Medea needs help with communicating, however I would disagree in saying that Jason needs to as well, he was the only one talking sensibly.
ReplyDeleteI think Jason was being insensitive about the whole thing, he just wanted to use his "rhetorical skills" and sound smart in argument. Medea had done a lot for Jason in the past and Jason betrayed her.
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