Hi! I was wondering if anyone could help me with this Medea prompt? I've got a few ideas but not enough to write a whole essay on, especially in an exam.
This is the prompt:
‘Characters display both cool logic and fiery emotion in Medea, but Euripides is supportive of neither.’ Discuss.
These are my ideas so far:
Cool logic -
Jason’s reasons for abandoning Medea - betrayal leaves her distraught. Euripides doesn’t approve of this
Fiery emotion -
Medea’s decision to kill 4 ppl leads to the end of Jason’s legacy and a kingdom with no royalty - he is left with nothing. Euripides doesn’t approve of this but approves of balance.
I want to have at the least 3 body paragraphs, maybe even 4. Can anyone give me some ideas??? It would be much appreciated
Cool logic:
- Jason's abandonment of Medea leaving her distraught, Jason was cool about it and thought it was the best choice for him. Euripides definitely does not approve of this as evident through Medea's final crime spree, and most importantly, departing the scene not only without punishment, but leaving on a dragon-led chariot handed down by her grandfather, the Sun-god.
- King Creon's decision to grant Medea one day in Corinth to plan her refuge, in which she instead uses to plan out her terrible crimes. Euripides once again does not approve of Creon's decision by having Medea destroy the city of Corinth as a result of Creon's decision, despite knowing her 'dangerous temperament' and he knew that he would regret the decision.
Fiery emotion:
- Medea's final actions serve to astound everyone - the audience, city of Corinth and Jason. The fact that, once again, Medea ditched the concluding scene unharmed directed on her dragon-led chariot, proves that Euripides agreed and supported Medea's actions, for ultimately standing up to the male-dominated patriarchy of 431BC and thus possessing natures of a tragic hero.
- Although Euripides supports Medea's fiery emotions, the characters of the play don't and detest Medea for her unnatural crimes.