A Man's View

In "Medea", Jason has the audacity to think that Medea acts out of "mere sexual jealousy" when she kills their children. He believes that she is a lowly creature after killing her brother and betraying her father (albeit to help Jason succeed). This is not an uncommon way to think of women in that time, however, as women in Ancient Greece had very few rights other than keeping the home and having and raising children. But this way of thinking only reinforces Jason's role of this tragic play. For while Medea may be seen as the tragic character who goes mad and kills everyone, it is Jason who experiences everyone around him being murdered.

Works Cited: 

Reid, Matthew C., and Grant Gillett. "The Case of Medea: A View of Fetal-Maternal Conflict." Journal of  Medical Ethics 23.1 (1997): 19-25. Web. 30 Oct. 2010. 

Importance of sons in ancient Greece

Throughout history, sons have been highly valued over daughters in order to carry on the family name and honor. A son to a father was his way on passing on his seeds and it was extremely important to preserve these sons from harm. In this sculpture, titled "Laocoon and His Sons", one can see the consequences of upsetting the Gods, but more importantly, the cost to a family of losing sons. 

Laocoon upset the Gods, but instead of simply punishing him, Athena sent snakes after his two sons as well, a huge blow to Laocoon as he dies, to know that his family is now dead with his him and his children. In "Medea", Jason not only loses the chance to continue on his family name with either Medea or Creusa, but his two sons are killed, completely destroying his lineage. 

Works Cited:

"Anatomica." Web. 30 Oct. 2010. <http://figurestudio.com/simpleforum_pro.cgi?fid=04&topic_id=1228687335>.

The Greek Tragedy of Medea

Greek tragedies may be known for their heartache and bloodshed but the tale of Medea by Euripides catapults these literary themes and ideas far beyond the norm. In this story, Medea and her children are left by her husband Jason when he decides to promote his ranking by marrying Creusa, the daughter of King Creon. Medea decides to take a stance, killing Creusa, Creon, and her two young sons. The story ends with Jason's anguish as Medea flees to Athens, leaving him with nothing.


While having your husband leave you would be hard enough to deal with, imagine having helped him fulfill a mission of epic proportions beforehand. Recall the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece? In order to regain his kingdom, he is sent on an impossible mission to retrieve a golden fleece, and is only able to complete the mission with the help of Medea. It is no wonder then, why Medea would be more upset than the average wife losing her husband. But is that history and love anywhere near enough to warrant her crimes against Jason and others? That is for the audience to decide and understand.

Works Cited:

James Romm "Argonauts and the Golden Fleece"  The Oxford Companion to World Exploration. Ed. David Buisseret. Oxford University Press, 2007.  Central Washington University.  30 October 2010  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t230.e0044>

"Medea"  The Oxford Dictionary of English (revised edition). Ed. Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson. Oxford University Press, 2005. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.  Central Washington University.  30 October 2010  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t140.e47395>