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>