HELP: Medea shows that seeking revenge undermines any hope of justice. Discuss

[BlinkieBill]

'Medea shows that seeking revenge undermines any hope of justice.’ Discuss

I am thinking about talking about how Medea's excessive passion and selfishness causes her to harm the innocent and that this vengeance prevents justice from prevailing. But I dont think this really answers the question.

So I'd like it if someone could plz give me suggestions on a line of argument/contention.
thanks

[clarke54321]

'Medea shows that seeking revenge undermines any hope of justice.’ Discuss

I am thinking about talking about how Medea's excessive passion and selfishness causes her to harm the innocent and that this vengeance prevents justice from prevailing. But I dont think this really answers the question.

So I'd like it if someone could plz give me suggestions on a line of argument/contention.
thanks

Hi BlinkieBill,

That's a valid argument and answers the question. You're saying that revenge (in the form of murderous violence) cannot equal justice.

However, have you considered other ways of looking at the prompt?
Are there instances of the play, whereby desires to punish/inflict harm on others is for just cause?

For this question I'd consider the position of women in patriarchal society. Can these women ever really achieve justice when male logic rules? Not really. Therefore what avenues are open to them to achieve justice?

[BlinkieBill]

Are there instances of the play, whereby desires to punish/inflict harm on others is for just cause?

Thank you so much,
I was just wondering exactly what you meant by this^^
Do you mean how Medea has just cause to inflict harm on Jason? - as a betrayed wife, and then that divine justice is actually achieved?

Could you say that as a woman who is oppressed in society, Medea is justified in her subversion of her role as a mother and that she does achieve justice by ruining Jason?

[clarke54321]

Thank you so much,
I was just wondering exactly what you meant by this^^
Do you mean how Medea has just cause to inflict harm on Jason? - as a betrayed wife, and then that divine justice is actually achieved?

Yes, think about how Euripides presents Medea as a betrayed wife. Also, what are the Chrous' reactions to Jason's infidelity? Whose side do they take?

Could you say that as a woman who is oppressed in society, Medea is justified in her subversion of her role as a mother and that she does achieve justice by ruining Jason?

In her revenge, Medea receives a sense of personal justice, however in no way does this extend to society as a whole. I'm not sure that she is justified in subverting a role as a mother, but I think that as a women who is expected to quietly accept the decisions of those in power (even when those decisions are unjust/harmful to women) her motivations/anger is justified.

[BlinkieBill]

oh, that makes sense. Thank you so much for these ideas.

[clarke54321]

oh, that makes sense. Thank you so much for these ideas.

No worries, BlinkieBill. I hope I helped you.