English normal Flashcards
BP3
Topic Sentence: Euripides underscores the destructive consequences of abandoning sophrosyne (moderation), not just in Medea’s actions but also in Jason’s failure to balance ambition with empathy, leading both characters into tragedy.
Analysis: In the agon, Jason justifies his betrayal with the claim, “It was for the best, for you and the children.” This rationalization represents a distorted form of sophrosyne, as Jason claims to act with reason and restraint, yet in doing so, he neglects the emotional devastation his choices cause. Euripides exposes Jason’s failure to fully embody moderation, illustrating how his selective restraint—focused solely on self-interest—undermines the harmony he seeks to preserve. Medea, in contrast, utterly rejects sophrosyne. In episode 3, she vows, “I will make corpses of three of my enemies—father, daughter, and husband,” highlighting her descent into an uncontrollable vengeance that disregards moral and natural laws. Euripides emphasizes this descent further in the exodus, where Medea invokes a cosmic reversal—“uphill flows the water of sacred rivers”—signifying the complete subversion of order. By showcasing Medea’s unchecked passions, Euripides warns that abandoning moderation leads to chaos, both personal and societal.
Views and Values Sentence: Through both Jason’s distorted application of sophrosyne and Medea’s outright rejection of it, Euripides argues that the failure to balance reason with emotion ultimately leads to destruction, disrupting not only the individual but also the broader social and cosmic order.
Intro
Euripides’ play Medea intricately examines the dualities of human nature and societal expectations through its complex protagonist, Medea. At the heart of the tragedy is Medea’s tumultuous journey from a loving wife to a figure of devastating vengeance, driven by deep betrayal and unrestrained passion. The play delves into the intense conflict bw reason/emotion, highlighting = Medea’s unchecked rage ultimately leads to her tragic downfall. This portrayal underlines the destructive potential of passion when it overcomes rationality and reflects broader societal themes.
Conclusion
Once a play constructed for the purpose of moral instruction, Medea continues to remind its audiences of the universal struggles of human beings, across culture, space and time.
BP1
Euripides explores the destructive consequences of vengeance because Medea’s obsessive pursuit of revenge inverts both moral and natural laws, particularly in relation to [insert theme: betrayal/gender roles/justice/power/control].
Analysis:
In the agon, Medea’s chilling declaration, “I will make corpses of three of my enemies,” unveils her deliberate and merciless resolve to exact revenge on those she believes have wronged her: Creon, his daughter, and Jason. This foreshadows the lengths Medea is willing to go to, highlighting the escalation of personal revenge to an uncontrollable force that spares no one. Medea’s desire for retribution, driven by a sense of betrayal, leads her to commit morally questionable acts that transcend personal conflict, impacting the larger social order. Later, in the exodus, she proclaims, “uphill flows the water of sacred rivers,” using a metaphor that signifies the utter reversal of nature and justice. Euripides employs this image to emphasize how Medea’s unchecked rage has subverted both divine and societal order, symbolizing the chaos that ensues when vengeance overtakes reason. These moments reflect how Medea’s descent into revenge mirrors the unraveling of the world around her, highlighting Euripides’ warning about the dangers of giving in to destructive passions.
Views and Values Sentence (Swiss Cheese Approach):
Through Medea’s actions, Euripides conveys the view that vengeance, when pursued without moral restraint in response to [insert theme: betrayal/gender roles/justice/power/control], leads not only to personal ruin but also to the collapse of societal and natural laws.
