Medea Flashcards
Women of Corinth…
Medea opens her monologue by directly addressing the women of Corinth. This device establishes a connection with her audience, both within the play and the external audience. By speaking directly to the women, she seeks to create a sense of solidarity and shared experience.
My life is gone…. I’ve lost all joy. I want to die.
This captures the profound sense of despair and loss that Medea feels after being betrayed by her husband, Jason. She invested her love, trust, and entire being in him, only to be discarded. This phrase conveys the depth of her heartbreak and the void left by his abandonment. She feels hopeless, suicidal, as if life is not worth living without her husband. It also is a reflection on her social identity. Medea laments the loss of her social standing and security. Jason’s abandonment leaves her vulnerable and without protection or support in a patriarchal society. The phrase also implies a bleak outlook for the future. Medea sees no hope or path forward, feeling that her prospects have been irrevocably destroyed. This despair drives her to contemplate drastic actions as a means of coping with her sense of utter ruin.
The worst of men….
The worst of men…. This superlative description encapsulates her intense feelings of betrayal, anger, and disdain towards Jason. Medea calls Jason “the worst of men” because he has broken his vows and abandoned her and their children for another woman. This betrayal is particularly egregious given that Medea sacrificed everything for him, including her family and homeland. Jason’s success and status were largely due to Medea’s aid, including her magical abilities and strategic support. His willingness to discard her once he no longer needs her is seen as the ultimate ingratitude.
We need a husband, someone we get for an excessive pride.….
Medea’s pride is deeply connected to her sense of honor and reputation. She feels profoundly wronged by Jason’s betrayal, not just on a personal level, but because it tarnishes her honor and makes her appear weak or foolish to others. Her actions throughout the play are driven by a need to reclaim her dignity and assert her worth. Medea’s refusal to accept Jason’s marriage to Glauce is rooted in her pride. She cannot tolerate the humiliation of being replaced and dishonored.
He then becomes the ruler of our bodies….
This is a significant theme that delves into issues of power, control, and autonomy, especially in the context of gender relations. When Medea speaks about being the “rulers of our bodies,” she is addressing the limitations and expectations placed on women in a patriarchal society. It also illustrates the lack of autonomy women have over their own lives and bodies in ancient Greek society. Medea’s speech addresses the power imbalance between men and women. In her society, women are expected to submit to their husbands, who wield control over them.
Divorce loses women all respect, yet we can’t refuse to take a husband….
Imagery to depict the powerlessness of women in patriarchal society. She feels trapped with the inevitability of her situation.
But if the marriage doesn’t work, death is much to be preferred…
In ancient Greek society, marriage was not only a social institution but also a crucial aspect of a woman’s life. It determined her social status, security, and prospects for the future. Therefore, the failure of a marriage could have devastating consequences for a woman, both socially and economically. This reflects the depth of despair and hopelessness felt by individuals trapped in unhappy or oppressive marriages. This statement also speaks to the cultural and social norms surrounding marriage in ancient Greece. The idealized view of marriage as a lifelong commitment and the emphasis on women’s subservience to their husbands meant that leaving a marriage was often seen as a failure or disgrace.
He gets his satisfaction with some male friend or someone his own age….
Suggests the possibility of infidelity or betrayal within a marriage or relationship. This statement also hints at emotional distance or disconnection within the relationship. The fact that one partner seeks satisfaction outside of the relationship suggests a lack of intimacy or fulfilment within the partnership, leading to feelings of alienation or resentment.
I’d rather stand there three times in battle holding up my shield than give birth once….
Medea juxtaposes the physical pain of childbirth with the peril of battle, suggesting that she considers childbirth to be even more agonizing and traumatic than facing death in combat. By expressing a preference for facing battle over childbirth, Medea also emphasizes her strength and resilience as a warrior. The image of standing three times in battle holding up her shield conveys her bravery and determination in the face of danger. This statement also speaks to the gendered experiences of pain and suffering in ancient Greek society. While men were celebrated for their bravery in battle, women’s experiences of pain and suffering, particularly in childbirth, were often minimized or overlooked. It may also reflect her own personal experiences of childbirth and motherhood. Given the circumstances of her betrayal by Jason and her current state of distress, Medea’s feelings about childbirth may be influenced by her traumatic experiences and feelings of abandonment.
I have no mother, brother, or relation, to shelter with…
This tricolon reflects Medea’s profound sense of isolation and abandonment. She feels cut off from her family and without any familial support to turn to in her time of need. This sense of isolation intensifies her feelings of despair and hopelessness. The absence of familial support leaves Medea without a social safety net or refuge. In ancient Greek society, familial ties were crucial for social support and protection, particularly for women. Medea’s lack of family to shelter with leaves her vulnerable and exposed, with nowhere to turn for help or comfort.
If I find a way to punish Jason, say nothing…
This line encapsulates the secrecy and determination behind Medea’s plan to exact vengeance, emphasizing her need for discretion and strategic planning. Medea’s instruction to “say nothing” underscores the need for secrecy and discretion in her plan to punish Jason. She understands the importance of keeping her intentions hidden from others, including her allies, to ensure the success of her revenge plot.
There’s no heart more desperate for blood than hers….
This highlights the intensity of Medea’s emotions. It suggests that her desire for revenge is unparalleled, surpassing that of anyone else. This characterization emphasizes the depth of her anger, hatred, and thirst for retribution. The word “desperate” conveys a sense of urgency and desperation in Medea’s quest for vengeance. It suggests that her desire for blood is not just a passing emotion but a driving force that consumes her entirely, leaving her willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve her goal. It suggests that her entire being is consumed by thoughts of vengeance, leaving little room for anything else.
