Plot Flashcards
Story of the golden fleece
Pelias had stolen throne of Ioclus from Jason
In order to get Jason out of the city Pelias sent him to the Black Sea to win the Golden Fleece (treasure guarded by dragon)
after many adventures on the Argo (ship) with his crew (Argonauts) Jason arrived in Colchis to complete his quest
How do Jason and Medea meet?
in Colchis Jason is seen by Medea (daughter of the king)
Medea immediately fell in love with Jason and resolved to do whatever she could to help him win the fleece and return safely to Greece
Who was Medea?
granddaughter of the Sun and had magical powers
How did Medea help Jason?
used power to conquer challenges her father set for him
Medea put dragon to sleep and Jason stole fleece and escaped back to Greece
to slow her father’s pursuit, Medea was even prepared to murder her brother (great desire to escape with Jason)
What happened at Iolcus?
after they came to Iolcus, Jason’s ancestral home, Medea tricked the daughters of Pelias into killing thier father
they were required to flee from Iolcus and came, as exiles, to Corinth
Prologue
Nurse explains that Medea is in pain (not eating, constantly weeping)
She had come from Colchis due to her intense love for Jason and has betrayed the oaths he made to her. Jason has married the daughter of the king of Corinth and abandoned Medea and their two sons
The nurse mentions that Medea seems to hate her sons and is concerned about what Medea might be planning
Tutors enter with two boys and brings news that King Creon is planning to exile Medea and her sons - nurse is angry that Jason will allow this to happen but tutor encourages her to not tell Medea yet
Nurse repeats her concerns about Medea’s plans and, as Medea begins to speak from within, she hurries the children into the house
Nurse preaches moderation as best way to avoid anger of gods
Parados
entry speech by chorus of Corinthian women is split by Medea within the palace
Medea shouts out that she wants to die and the Chorus are surprised by her extreme reaction to her betrayal
chorus and nurse both wish that they could soothe Medea’s grief and anger
Medea wishes death on Jason and bride
she regrets betraying her father and her country when she murdered her brother
First episode (chorus)
Medea enters to secure goodwill of chorus. She is aware that as a foreigner she must conform
mourns her betrayal by Jason and passes on to mourn vulnerability of women - women do not know what sort of husband they will end up with, have to put up with bad marriage without sexual freedom of men, women have dangers of childbirth
Medea reminds chorus she cannot return home and asks them not to say anything about her revenge plans
First episode (Creon)
Medea explains that Creon has nothing to fear from her and her anger is aimed at Jason
explains that the rumours have risen from her reputation for cleverness (resented by others)
Creon says he fears her even-tempered words more than her passionate anger and she should leave
Medea pleads for one day to plan for her exile and Creon agrees before leaving reluctantly
Medea explains to chorus that she has tricked Creon by fawning on him but that she has still got plans for Jason, his bride and Creon
Medea mocks Creon for changing his mind and talks about ways for revenge before settling on poison
First ode
chorus speak of upheaval in the world - men break oaths and women gain honour
they describe Medea’s plight as a foreign exile who left her land, stricken with love but now has no husband
Second episode
Jason enters and blames Medea’s exile on foolish threats she has made against the royal family
but he is still willing to help her by offering her money
Second episode
Jason enters and blames Medea’s exile on foolish threats she has made against the royal family
but he is still willing to help her by offering her money
Medea is angry at Jason and reminds him how she helped him win the fleece and brought about Pelias’ death but now Jason has abandoned her and their sons for another woman. She says she has no where to go and it is a disgrace to Jason that his wife will be cast out
Second episode (Jason)
Jason explains to Medea that she helped him because she was under the influence of Aphrodite, not out of loyakty
he points out that Medea has gained from it - now lives in land of justice and law, talents are famous
Jason says he has married the king’s daughter to ensure security for them all in Corinth, not due to sexual desure or for more children
he claims women only think about their sex life
Second episode (Medea response)
chorus admire Jason’s response but think he has behaved wrongly
Medea says she is not convinced by his clever explanations
Jason continues to unsuccssfully enourage Medea to accept situation and offers help but Medea returns to to subject of his betrayal and refuses his offer of assistance
Second ode
chorus discuss problem of love without moderation and express fear of the power of Aphrodite
they wish to never be struck by adultourohs love and mourn the plight of an exile (wish they would rather die than live having lost their country)
chorus pity Medea in her suffering
Third episode
Aegeus (Athenian king) enters on his way back from Delphic oracle where he is enquiring about how he might have children
Medea expresses surprise at his lack of children and then tells him about Jason’s betrayal
Aegeus is appalled but tells Medea to move on
Medea asks if she can seek refuge in Athens if she cures Aegeus’s childlessness. He agrees if she makes her own way there and Medea makes him swear an oath
Third episode (plan)
Medea is delighted at her place for refuge
she plans to pretend to Jason that she agrees with with his arrangements and will then use her children to kill Cruesa
Then she will kill her children (she knows this is a big act but she does not want to be seen as weak)
- the chorus do not agree but are reminded that they are sworn to silence
Third ode
chorus sing about purity of Athens and claim that Aphrodite once visited the city, inspiring its culture
they are surprised that Athens will offer sanctuary to a woman who has murdered her own children and plead with Medea to think again (they encourage her to think through the deed)
Fourth episode
Jason enters and Medea asks him to forgive her changeable moods
She says she has come around to his way of thinking and now thinks it is best to go along with her plans
she calls for the children to embrace their father.
Jason is pleased and convinced that Medea has changed and is certain his sons will grow up as great men
Medea cries at the mention of her sons future and asks Jason to persuade Creon not to send the boys into exile - Jason says he will ask but thinks Creusa will be better at it
Fourth episode (plan in action)
Medea promises to send the boys with a dress and crown for Jason’s new bride which had come from Medea’s grandfather and woven from gold
Jason says she can keep gift as palace is full of dresses but Medea says it will help convince her to help
Fourth ode
chorus give up hope that Medea will change her plans now that poisoned dress and crown are on their way to the palace
they mention grief Jason will soon suffer and actions that led to disaster
Fifth episode
tutor enters with the boys and tells Medea they have delivered the presents and suggests they have won her over - Medea is upset by this
Tutor leaves Medea with the boys and she is sad that she will soon lose them and never see them grow up and marry or that they will not help her in old age
Medea suggests to chorus she will abandon plan to kill them and take them to Corinth
Fifth episode (determination)
abruptly changes back to former intention and chastises herself for weakness
changes back to original plan of going to Athens
she reminds herself that the fate of the princess is sealed and so cannot leave her children at the mercy of her enemies
embraces the boys and sends them inside, understanding what she is about to do and blaming her passion
choral interlude
lyrical section
possible it indicates a debate between Chorus
chorus reflect on passions of women and then move onto trials of being a parent and how children can be a constant source of anxiety
the greatest grief for a parent is the death of their child
Sixth episode
messenger enters, bringing news to Medea about the death of the princess and her father
Medea expresses her joy and wants to know more
messenger says there was joy in palace at Jason & Medea’s reconciliation. The princess was initially unhappy to see the boys but was happy with the gifts
Jason and boys left and Cruesa put dress on and admired herself (poison then began to take hold and her burned & bloody body died. the palace rushed around to tell Creon, he comes and kisses her body, the poison killing him too
Chorus suggest Jason deserves this and pity princess. Medea is convinced the boys will die (may be killed by someone in revenge and she would rather kill them herself) so she readies herself
Fifth ode
chorus pleade with the Sun (great-grandad of boys) to stop Medea and are appalled at what is about to happen
screams are heard from inside and chorus consider breaking in to stop Medea.
Chorus compare Medea to Ino who was driven mad by the gods and killed her children but then threw herself into the sea and drowned
Exodos
Jason comes to save the boys from Medea but the chorus tell him what she has done
Medea appears in a chariot of the Sun and Jason says he was wrong to bring her to Greece as she had already shown herself to be a traitor (killed brother and betrayed father)
Medea reminds Jason he did not treat her fairly and that she was not prepared to be laughed at by her enemies. They blame each other for the death of their children
Medea won’t give Jason the body and wants to take them to Athens. She foretells how Jason will die and he curses her to Zeus
Chorus explain that life holds many shocks and surprises
