Medea Essay Help

[dov4k]

Hello all,
I am very rusty with my text response writing skills (having done Language in year 11 with a clueless teacher),
and I'd like to receive any feedback that is possible on the essay I wrote.

Any feedback is appreciated, thank you

Topic: It is the chorus which predominantly drives the audience’s perception of characters in Medea. To what extent do you agree?

In Euripides’ Medea, the Chorus conveys insightful context that is constructive to the audience’s understanding of the play. The Chorus acts as an onstage conscience, voicing opinion through song, namely after interactions with the play’s characters. The role of the chorus complements the gaps that may appear in its progression. Thus, the Chorus’ interactions with the characters enhances the audience’s knowledge of their nature, and hence allows a developing perception. In the the patriarchal society of ancient Greece, the theatrical composition of man is challenged by Euripides’ decision to utilise women as the Chorus. This unfamiliar convention supported by the playwright causes an uncomfortable commotion amongst its audience, which affects the perception of the Chorus itself. Ultimately, it is the actions of the play’s characters that drive the audience’s perception of the characters. Due to Euripides’ questionable structure of the Chorus, a lack of influence may dissociate the connection between Chorus and audience.

The Chorus offers depth in their vocal opinion, which complements the complexity of the play. In their interactions with the play’s characters, the chorus is able to evoke feelings of sympathy, pity, anger and hatred. Thus, the raw opinion of the Chorus is conveyed to the audience, inclining the audience to conform to the general consensus. The Chorus’ bid to ‘wish [Medea] well’ immediately establishes a sense of sympathy directed towards Medea. This ‘loyal friendship’ established between Medea and Chorus creates a perspective that Medea is a figure that is seen as a positive figure in the eyes of the audience. Furthermore, the ‘abandoned, homeless’ Medea receives a positive reception, as she appeals to the ‘timid’ nature of women to gain the support of the Chorus. Although the perception of Medea is instigated through her deceitful calculation to gain the Chorus’ sympathy, it is the response of the Chorus that carries a greater influence. The Chorus’ decision to ‘do as [she] asks’ is portrayed as the appropriate response in Medea’s endeavour to ‘take revenge upon [her] husband’. Additionally, the Chorus is able to provide justification, that ‘[Medea’s] grief’ is a reasonable response for her thirst to bear malice. Hence, the constant expression of their opinion leaves little room for the audience’s self interpretation of the characters. Thus, the audience are able to share into the ‘laments coming from inside’ that is a source for Medea’s pity. However, there is a direct challenge to the Chorus’ influence, which emanates from their composition. The Chorus, who has shared the ‘ill repute’ towards men with Medea offends the male theatrical audience, which has a strong impact on the Chorus’ influence of character’s perception.

Euripides’ controversial decision to structure his Chorus raises issues. In ancient Grecian society, the culture of theatrical arts revolves around the hypermasculinity of patriarchal society. The influence of the chorus is undermined as the Chorus is comprised of ‘Corinthian women’.  In a society that is strongly aligned with the power of man, the ‘loyal friendship’ between Medea and the Chorus is viewed negatively in the eyes of the audience. Thus, the Chorus lacks the influence to drive the audience’s perception. Through the viewpoint of a woman, and particularly their ‘will to do as [Medea] asks’, remains invalid to the audience. The contrasting beliefs that are contained amongst the male audience and female chorus will have different responses to the play. This is exemplified through the ‘old servant of [Medea’s] house, and the ‘tutor of Jason’s children’, who project the different judgement of men and women. The tutor’s dismissal of ‘the poor [Medea’s] … laments’ establish the general consensus of men toward the sorrow of women. To go as far to call Medea ‘stupid’ displays an obvious lack of respect, which is reflective of the patriarchal treatment of women. His acceptance of ‘old ties of affection [giving] way to the new’ is painfully blunt, and the tutor of Jason’s employ would share in the same view of the male audience. On the contrary, the perspective of the nurse is completely different to the tutors ‘naive’ nature. The treatment of the nurse towards ‘[her] mistress’ is received as positive, who also interacts with Medea positively. This contrast between the response of the tutor and nurse convey societal perspective on certain characters. The position of the chorus, composed of women, would share in the typical response the nurse has on Medea, whereas the composition of male audience would perceive Medea as how the tutor does. Thus, the chorus’ provision of extended knowledge has little effect on how the audience perceives the characters. Character perception lies heavily in the actions of the characters that offend the audience.

The perception towards a character involves the additional outlook that the chorus fails to bring. The chorus is particularly limited in their influence due to their position of ‘powerless women’, as imposed by the patriarchal Grecian society. The heinous actions of Medea’s filicide is a ‘crime against mankind’ that greatly offends the audience. To the chorus’ credit in this regard, the Chorus’ opinion affects the way of how the audience think about the Medea in particular. The chorus share the same response as one would expect towards Medea’s ‘monstrous deed’, as they plead for the gods to ‘restrain… the wretched woman’ . Medea’s crime of filicide toys with the core belief of parenthood that remains significant to the hearts of the Grecian audience. Regardless of Medea’s ridiculous justification to ‘cause [Jason] harm’, the wicked nature of her actions outweigh any sort of influence, be it from the audience. The heinous acts of Medea test the limits of societal expectation, and this ultimate crime would not be seen in a positive light by anyone. The chorus’ distress towards Medea’s ‘murderous fury’ is a more appropriate response as opposed to supporting in satiating her ‘[murderous heart]’. The act of Medea’s filicide is also in the self interest, so she is not left to be ‘mocked by her enemies’. This self interest is also opposing the societal expectation of living in moderation, as self interest is recognised to ‘yearn Heaven’s anger’. Ultimately, the interpretation the characters is to the discretion of the audience, as they are able to witness the true nature of the characters and hence develop a perception of their humanity.

Euripides’ structure of the Chorus, in its best interest to drive the audience’s perception, lacks to consider the social composition of its intended audience. Thus the influence of the Chorus is limited to the focus of women, which is pointless due to the composition of a male audience. Ultimately, the action of the characters drive the perception of the audience, as considering the lack of influence of the chorus, character perception is left up to the audience’s judgement.