ANALYSIS OF EURIPIDES THE MEDEA

PROLOGOS (PROLOGUE LINES 1-130)

The prologue is a speech or scene that preceded the Chorus entry. From the outset,
the Nurses reference to the myth Jason and the Argonauts is designed to fulfil a key
dramatic purpose, since the Athenian audience would have been aware of the myth
since approximately 1300 BC.
Euripides first lines If only it had never gone to the land of Colchis, the ship the
Argo. directs the audience to consider the fundamental wrongness of the journey,
to steal a sacred object, in this case the Golden Fleece, bringing into question the
heroic code. The audience will consider the characters failures to live up to key
virtues like sophrosene (moderation). Therefore the audience will observe the terrible
consequences or downfall due to character flaws or hamartia (erroneous judgment)
that is largely based on hubris (excessive pride).
Even though the Nurses lament is sincere, the playwright Euripides reinforces the
impossibility of undoing the past. Therefore he is commenting that a greater level of
responsibility for all citizens, including leaders, is needed to reflect on their actions,
rather than denying responsibility or accountability. The tragedy of Medea imparts a
message that action premeditated or not, bears consequences that must be
recognised (the value/ethos of anagnorisis) and endured.
Unfortunately Jason and possibly Medea dont develop anagnorisis - , or
the moment when a character makes a critical discovery. Anagnorisis originally
meant recognition in its Greek context, not only of a person but also of what that
person stood for. Anagnorisis was the heros sudden awareness of a real situation,
the realisation of things as they stood, and finally, the hero's insight into a
relationship with an often antagonistic character. This failure is most evident in Jason
due to his hubristic nature, reflecting the broader patriarchal values, attitudes and
practices of the time.
The audience are aware of the present calamity, where, as exiles in a foreign land,
Jason rejects Medea, leaving his wife for Glauce, daughter of Creon who was the
King of Corinth.

The Nurses prologue identifies Jasons motivation for his betrayal is his political
desire to succeed Creon as King of Corinth, by marrying Glauce. Jasons
abandonment precipitates disastrous results for those connected to him, that he
never acknowledges. Therefore his deceptive rationalisations used to justify his
actions and avoid consequences, will be juxtaposed with Medea whose passions will
override responsibilities that bind her, especially to her children. Crucially, Euripides
establishes Medea and Jason as lacking accountability.
Medeas emotional wounds and psychological mindset are evident from the outset,
even though she is offstage in the prologue. Suicidal tendencies will be replaced by
curses. By ominously foreshadowing her rage, lessons regarding moderation/
sophrosene/ living life on equal terms is not possible for those governed by
fearsome impulses. Medea, who was transfixed by desire for Jason reinforces the
dangers of excess, especially as admits that anger will be the master that will
govern her actions and thinking. These are some of the inconvenient truths revealed
by Euripides in the prologue.
The myth, known by the audience, identified that Jasons divine protector was the
goddess Hera, who persuaded the goddess Aphrodite to gain the assistance of Eros
(cupid) to make Medea fall in love with Jason. In doing so, the myth outlines how
with Medeas magical powers as a sorceress helped Jason accomplish the
extraordinary tasks, including stealing the Golden Fleece from Medeas own father
Aetes. Medeas proviso in helping Jason accomplish his feat was that Jason agreed
to marry Medea, which he did. This was the OATH that bound Jason to Medea, a
deal that was broken, leading to the tragedy.
The Nurses prologue references the myth, yet the audience would have been aware
that Medea betrayed her father, and the people of Colchis. In order to slow Aetes
down in his pursuit of Jason and Medea, she killed and dismembered the body of her
brother Apsyrtus. Unlike Medeas action driven by her passion for Jason, her father
prioritised his religious obligations in picking up the pieces of his son. Aetes bond is
to the gods and to his son, ensuring his burial and acceptance into Hades (the
underworld). Therefore there is a clear contrast between the two regarding their
respective responses to their emotions/ passions.

Aetes anger and grief would have been palpable, considering his dual loss. Firstly,
the removal of the Golden Fleece by Jason and Medea was predicted to result in the
implosion of her fathers kingdom. Secondly, the pain of his sons horrific death at the
hands of Medea would be compounded considering Aetes patrilineal line would be
ended by his sons murder. Medea will inflict a similar loss on Jason when she kills
her sons.
Furthermore, as a sorceress, Medea manipulated Pelias daughters, who were
Jasons nieces, to kill their father in the hope of magically returning him to his
youthful state. Medeas actions were driven by her loyalty, love, passion for Jason,
who was the rightful heir to the throne of Iolcus. After their exile, the myth referenced
that Medea and Jason were accepted by Corinth, lived there for 10 years, and had 2
sons. Medea was initially welcomed in Corinth, a mercantile city/ polis whose
citizens were seen as progressive and accepting of foreigners in their midst. The
warm welcome was part of the deep-seated principle in ancient Greek culture to
offer welcome and hospitality to strangers. This is deeply ironic considering the
destructive consequences Jason and Medea left behind into Colchis and Iolcus, and
will leave behind in Corinth.
The Nurse reflects on a very patriarchal society, where the position of women was to
please her husband in all she does, in order to keep her marriage intact reflecting
that he could count on complete support from his wife. Euripides uses the play to
create contemporary discussions in the Theatre of Dionysus where the audience
was made up of Athenian male citizens. Women in ancient Athenian/Greek society
were under the authority of a man (a KYRIOS). Before marriage, the authority was
her father (whom Medea betrayed and left to be with Jason), and once married, the
authority transferred to the husband (Jason who betrayed Medea). In ancient
Greece, the usual practice was to give a bride price (hdnon ()). Dowries
(phern ()) were exchanged by the later classical period (5th century B.C.). A
man could divorce his wife by returning her dowry to her father, yet the stigma would
have attached.
Yet, Medea challenged / threatened these cultural norms since she married Jason
without permission, and without Jason receiving a dowry. Jason would also be aware
that Medea was powerless considering she betrayed her father. The only

possessions Medea inherited as a form of dowry would have been the gown and
coronet, possibly for her own wedding, given by her descendant, her grandfather the
sun god Helios that will help her escape. The irony is that these gifts, rather than
being an act of good faith, will be used by Medea as instruments to kill Glauce and
Creon.
As a result of Jasons infidelity everything has turned to hatred since Medea has
been rejected by him and she doesnt have the refuge of her former home in Colchis,
and therefore no authority to legally fight for her. In addition, Medea has been
dishonoured and wronged, yet is powerless to stop Jason. As a wife Medea was
effectively Jasons possession and therefore all she had are his oaths. [that]
pledged his heart.
Euripides is referencing the importance of oaths in the ancient world as they were
divinely protected by Zeus (king of the gods). Jason has abused the gods divinity in
breaking his oath to Medea, and therefore the Nurses sympathy is being transferred
to the audience for 2 reasons. Firstly, for Medea, she is seen as the abandoned wife
in a foreign city. Secondly, Jasons cowardice or criminal behaviour in neglecting
his promises/ oath/ debt is compounded considering all she has done in giving birth
and raising his two sons, helping save Jasons life, providing assistance in fulfilling
the extraordinary heroic tasks in taking the Golden Fleece, and manipulating Jasons
nieces to kill his tyrannical uncle Pelias who had usurped Jasons throne.
Crucially, Euripides is using the Nurse to outline or register the devastating effects
that Jasons betrayal has had on Medeas psyche, whose intense devotion has now
transformed into self-destructive behaviour. Euripides vivid description reflects that
Medea is almost catatonic in her grief. The imagery that a rock [would] pay more
attention, that sheremained where she lies, not raising an eye, where thought
of food [is dismissed, where she collapsed in anguish, and the imagery of her
melting each passing hour with tears reinforces Medeas plight as a woman
betrayed, alone and alienated. Even the Nurses ominous reference to Medeas
hate for her children that she takes no pleasure in seeing draws the audiences
attention to the inevitable and horrific act of filicide, where her innocent sons will
suffer as they are a reminder to her of Jason and his betrayal.

Interestingly, the Nurses reference to Medeas bitter words regarding her dear
Father, elicits sympathy that she has lost everything by her association with Jason.
Yet the audiences awareness of the myth is manipulated. The Nurse references
Medeas own actions in betraying her father, yet omits the dismemberment of her
brother.
The Nurse is fully aware of Medeas potential for vengeance and brutality as a result
of what misfortune has taught her. Consequently, the audiences attention is on
Medea even though she is offstage. By craving for the impossible, that the Argo
never arrived in Colchis, the Nurse highlights that denial of events maybe a human
reaction to difficulties and pain, yet it is futile. Therefore Euripides is reinforcing that
our response to these difficulties will reflect whether we take responsibility for our
actions. Medeas sacrifices and loss as a result of her fateful meeting with Jason will
reflect how she will freely respond to the misery.
The myth has already established a horrifying portrayal of what Medea is capable of,
and the Nurses fear that she may hatch some unheard of scheme reinforces her
capacity to form and carry out her dreadful purpose. Consequently, the prominent
mood is one of bleakness as we listen to the Nurse, who has known Medea all her
life, and therefore her assessment that she is no ordinary woman downplays her
infamy at what shes done prior to arriving in Corinth. Euripides is able to comment
on the dangers and inevitability of tragedy due to extreme emotions or passion,
whether it is intense love/ sexual passion, that can be flipped to intense hatred.
In addition, Medea is no ordinary woman as her infamy is magnified by her
reputation as a sorceress, and her direct relationship with the gods as a granddaughter of the sun god Helios and the niece of the enchantress Circe. The Nurse is
fully aware of Medeas faults, but encourages the audience to pity her, despite her
fearful reputation. Even so, the view that there are no easy victories against her
downplays her fearful reputation considering what she is willing to do to members of
her own family, let alone against those she perceives as an enemy.
In light of this, the nurses sympathy for Medea is magnified considering that her
exile/ banishment/ ostracism from her homes in Colchis, Iolcus and later Corinth,
was a feared penalty, that for some was worse than death. Even so, it will be the

Nurses compassion and maternal instinct for the [innocent] children that is
diametrically opposed to the antipathetic treatment by their own parents.
They may not speak, but the audiences focus is on them. As innocent children, they
may not be aware of their mothers troubles or their fathers thoughtlessness and
cowardice in not protecting them from banishment. Euripides is able to powerfully,
ironically and dramatically reflect that even if grief knows no place in a childs mind,
their innocence is futile in protecting them from Medeas scheme.
The Tutor, like the Nurse is a slave. The nurses mutterings are a way to unburden
her of agitation since Medeas house is one of great tension and dysfunction. Yet
these slaves, who lack status/ standing in the community reflect an issue prominent
for Athenian society. In 451 BC, 20 years before Medea was performed, the
strategon/ general/ revered leader Pericles introduced a law that Athenians could
only be full citizens if they could prove that both parents were Athenian born citizens.
Therefore, the slaves like the Nurse and Tutor, have remained loyal, behaved
decently and suffered the consequences of Medeas actions since they will be
banished with her. Yet in spite of being good slaves whose hearts share pain they
are deprived of the privileges of citizenship. Euripides uses these good slaves to
highlight two further issues. Firstly, they are used to directly contrast their decent
behaviour with Jasons arrogance and thoughtlessness, traits that are far from those
expected of a heroic figure. Secondly, Euripides is commenting on the Athenian
policy, by highlighting that Jasons decision to marry Glauce is a political and
personal decision that his lineage can only be extended if his childrens mother is
also a Greek citizen. Therefore Euripides is reinforcing the disparity for those not
entitled to citizenship. He is questioning how civilised a democracy Athens is. Jason
is pragmatic in rejecting his children by not protecting them from banishment.
Euripides is also condemning political leaders like Creon have a callous streak in
rationalising the ease at which they can drive out Jason and Medeas children as a
means to demonstrate love for his own child.
The Nurse and Tutor have the ability to unravel causes that have led to a once loving
relationship that is now irreparably damaged. In contrast, the hero of the Argonauts
is now seen as self-serving. Even so, there is hope that Jasons quarrel with Medea
will not be transferred to the children. The instinctive response of any parent is to

protect their children. Culturally, great emphasis was placed on the family household.
As the father, head of the household and family, (oikos) Jason would have been
owed total obedience, and the children expected to defend their fathers honour and
reputation. Crucially it was a matter of honour that the oikos should not die out, since
it was through his sons that a man perpetuated his oikos or household. Therefore
Medeas later motivation in killing her children was designed to ensure that Jason
was a broken man whose legacy would cease with his sons deaths. To magnify the
loss, and totally break Jason for his criminal behaviour in breaking his oath, Medea
ensures that his new wife also dies without providing the possibility for an heir or the
establishment of a new oikos or household. The audience will look at Jason in a less
than complimentary way considering his neglect of his sons. This is in stark contrast
to the Nurse who naively believes in his decency to do the morally right thing by his
own flesh and blood. Yet he will betray those closest to him, firstly, to spite Medea
and secondly, to protect his own opportunity to shore up his potential political power
by marrying the King of Corinths daughter. This reflects a level of calculation that the
cynical Tutor is able to convey in all her hard-headiness, that Jasons old times of
affection give way to new. Tragically, Jasons children are also oblivious to their own
fathers scheme that completely disempowers them. His love for his sons becomes
questioned as he deserts them.
Jasons weakness is evident, preoccupied by his new love, yet the audience is
aware how fickle Jason and love can be, especially if the decision to shift his love
from Medea to Glauce is politically motivated and expedient. It is also determined by
the two men (Jason and Creon). Euripides is able to make telling comments about
the ease at which loyalty, oaths and love can be shifted or sacrificed, even a fathers
love for his sons is no longer sacrosanct, and later this sacrifice is evident in
Medeas actions and motives. Our focus and pity is directed on the young ones still
innocently playing before the audiences eyes, oblivious to how their father treats
them let alone how they will be treated by Medea. The children are victims who will
be betrayed by those traitor[s] nearest and dearest to them. The tutor therefore
offers a bleak commentary on mankind, where self-interest or love of self prevails
above all other forms, even family.
Euripides reinforces the danger of betrayal within family and society, since betrayal is
associated with broken trust, loss of self-worth, hatred, desire for revenge can prove

catastrophic. The playwright has established the psychological and emotional

repercussions of their marriage breakup. Yet, as the Nurse pronounces, she is aware
that she lacks social standing in this community, but can do nothing but try and
protect Medeas sons from her depression where dark mood conjures up
animalistic imagery where she glares at the children like a bull. No longer is the
hero of the mythic stories compared to powerful animals, but its now Medea who is
characterised as someone to be feared.
If she is willing to do something awful to her own children, then Euripides is
commenting on the complex question of how the principle of justice, personified by
the goddesses Themis representing law, and Dike, representing punishment and
vengeance, can function in society. Crucially divine justice was incurred for violating
sacred bonds of duty or oaths. Therefore, retribution can be inflicted, let alone
justified. Consequently, the Nurses initial view of Medea as no ordinary woman is
ominously conveyed where her rage will strike those perceived as enemies, let alone
friends or family like her sons whom she loved, a seemingly similar loyalty she
shared with her brother whom she brutally killed in Colchis. In the ancient Greek
world, a principle that existed was to fulfil ones duty to help ones loyal friends;
conversely it was ones duty to harm ones enemies. Consequently Medeas honour
had been hurt by Jasons breach of his oath. Jason easily shifts from one who loved
Medea, and she loved him, reflected by her actions since she was transfixed by
him. Now his betrayal has transformed him into an enemy who will feel the force of
her thunderbolt, reflecting imagery of her power and divinity.
The Nurse focuses on Medeas obsession to dispense justice divine and violent
justice, rather than allow Jason to go unpunished. His broken oath to her was by
implication sworn to the gods, therefore deserving of divine punishment. Jason
insults the gods, who through Medea helped Jason achieve his heroic feats in taking
the mythical Golden Fleece. Medeas anger wont die down. She sees Jasons
breach as unpardonable since the oaths sacredness has been routinely dismissed
and treated with mockery. Jason betrayed the sacred oath, even though Medea
made substantial sacrifices. She killed her brother, betrayed her father, joined Jason
in exile, and suffered the indignity of being treated as a second class citizen, as a
barbarian.

Euripides highly theatrical introduction of Medeas disembodied voice, from the

inside, is very ominous and understandable considering her grief suffered at the
hands of Jasons betrayal. Medeas view of herself as wretched, seeking pity for
my sufferings and a desire that she could die terrifies both Nurse and audience.
She is violently expressive about her pain and the moral, personal and sacred
injuries she has suffered at the hands of Jason. Crucially, the audience will discover
Medeas passion is the master of my reason. Even though her state implies
powerlessness, the Nurse reinforces that from her experiences Medeas excessive
passions reinforce her ability to be calculating, controlled and capable of directing
her passionate energy to inflict revenge on those she perceives as having wronged
her.
Medeas troubled heart will erupt into the loss of self-control and a danger where
thoughts and behaviour become engulfed and excessive. Euripides striking imagery
of clouds gathering and the burst in storm is ominous. Tragically, Medeas actions
will be excessive and destructive, and the audience is able to hear and deeply
affected by her tortured indignation and brutal threats. Even though Medea
expresses her laments from inside the house, the audiences anguish is intensified
as they hear the repetition of sufferings. The audiences pity is now shifted to
terrible fear, as they listen to her fierce and intractable nature regarding her
grudge.
Therefore a key cultural trait valued in citizens was the idea of sophrosene
() -an ideal of excellence of character and soundness of mind, which
when combined in one well-balanced individual leads to other qualities, such as
temperance, prudence, self-control or moderation. Medea is seen by the Nurse at
the antithesis of sophrosene. Medea is seen to possess a savage temperament
and an unforgiving nature. Therefore Euripides is didactically offering a warning
against how emotions, like fear and anger are driven by passion that will grow. The
lesson for the audience was to live a life of moderation, on equal terms. In doing
so, Euripides was reinforcing that secure and modest circumstances are better able
to provide solutions for complex problems and situations.
Morally Euripides is emphasizing how those of high social and political standing,
being of royal blood could prove dangerous due to their hubristic behaviour that is,

behaving with excessive pride. This was crucial, considering the fledgling democracy
in Athens, since the threat of tyranny could engulf and destroy any House, whether
it is a familys house, or by broader implication, any society/ polis. This warning was
more relevant considering the war against Sparta that would start a few months after
Medea was performed, would engulf and destroy the Athenian society in a war that
lasted for 27 years.
Euripides references the dangers of excessive power and HUBRIS, particularly for
those whose commands are seldom overruled. Therefore the audience will observe
how Jason, Aegeus and Creon are used as a warning against the excess that
pays him back with greater ruin. Character flaws culminate in tragedies, by
earn[ing] heavens anger. Therefore the lesson to the audience is clear-moderation
is wise and safe; whilst excess in going beyond what is ones natural and rightful
place, incurs the wrath of the gods. Ultimately it is the Nurse, despite her status as a
slave, that is astute and her perspective grasps that the habit of living on equal
terms is more prudent.