1 Medea
Euripides
Introduction
Medea (431 BCE) by Euripides (c. 480-406 BCE)
Euripides is considered one of the three great tragic playwrights of Ancient Greece. Euripides was a contemporary of Sophocles; one of the other great playwrights of the time. Between 92-95 plays have been credited to him though less than 20 of his plays are extant. His plays are considered more modern of the Ancient Greek tragedies due to his portrayal of women, a more realistic approach to storytelling, and a more critical look at heroes and gods. Euripides pushed against the norm by incorporating some melodrama and comedy within his tragedies. Some of his extant plays include Hippolytus (428 BCE), Hercules (c. 421 BCE), The Trojan Women (415 BCE), The Bacchae (c. 406 BCE), and Medea (431 BCE).
Medea is based on the myth of Jason and Medea and was first produced in 431 BCE at the City Dionysia, where it won third place. The play continues to be produced regularly around the world. It has been made into films, short films, short stories, and even a Kabuki theatre version.
Play Text
Medea
The Argument
When the Heroes, who sailed in the ship Argo to bring home the Golden Fleece, came to the land of Kolchis, they found that to win that treasure was a deed passing the might of mortal man, so terribly was it guarded by monsters magical, even fire-breathing bulls and an unsleeping dragon. But Aphroditê caused Medea the sorceress, daughter of Aiêtes the king of the land, to love Jason their captain, so that by her magic he overcame the bulls and the dragon. Then Jason took the Fleece, and Medea withal, for that he had pledged him to wed her in the land of Greece. But as they fled, Absyrtus her brother pursued them with a host of war, yet by Medea’s devising was he slain. So they came to the land of Iolkos, and to Pelias, who held the kingdom which was Jason’s of right. But Medea by her magic wrought upon Pelias’ daughters so that they slew their father. Yet by reason of men’s horror of the deed might not Jason and Medea abide in the land, and they came to Corinth. But there all men rejoiced for the coining of a hero so mighty in war and a lady renowned for wisdom unearthly, for that Medea was grandchild of the Sun-god. But after ten years, Kreon the king of the land spake to Jason, saying, “Lo, I will give thee my daughter to wife, and thou shall reign after me, if thou wilt put away thy wife Medea; but her and her two sons will I banish from the land.” So Jason consented. And of this befell things strange and awful, which are told herein.
Character List
Nurse of Medea’s Children.
Children’s Guardian
Medea.
Chorus of Corinthian Ladies.
Kreon, King of Corinth.
Jason.
Aigeus, King of Athens.
Messenger.
Children of Medea.
The Scene is in front of Jason’s House at Corinth.
Medea
Enter Nurse of Medea’s Children.
.
NURSE:
Would God that Argo’s hull had never flown
Through those blue Clashing Rocks to Kolchis-land,
Nor that in Pelion’s glens had fallen ever
The axe-hewn pine, nor fil