Unit 3: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Literature—Ancient Athenian Drama Flashcards
How was Athenian drama performed? Why is it useful to know the historical setting of performances of ancient Athenian drama?
Athenian drama was performed during religious festivals like the City Dionysia and Lenaia. Plays were staged in large outdoor theaters with actors wearing masks and costumes. Tragic and comic plays were accompanied by music and featured a chorus. Understanding the historical setting helps interpret the plays in their original context, appreciate performance practices, and analyze audience reception.
Why is it significant that only a small proportion of the plays performed in ancient Greece are known today?
It’s significant that only a small proportion of ancient Greek plays are known today because it represents a loss of cultural heritage, limits our understanding of ancient literature, and highlights the challenges of preserving historical texts over time.
Who was Euripides?
Euripides was an ancient Greek playwright who lived during the 5th century BCE. He is considered one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens, along with Aeschylus and Sophocles. Euripides wrote around 90 plays, although only 18 of his works have survived in complete form. He is known for his innovative and provocative approach to tragedy, challenging traditional conventions and exploring complex psychological and moral themes. Euripides’ plays often feature strong, independent female characters and skeptical attitudes towards religion and myth. His works include famous tragedies such as “Medea,” “The Bacchae,” and “Electra,” which continue to be performed and studied around the world today.
What is the plot of Medea?
“Medea” is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides. The play tells the story of Medea, a former princess of Colchis who helped Jason, the hero of the Argonauts, obtain the Golden Fleece. After leaving her homeland and betraying her family for Jason, Medea is abandoned by him for another woman, Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth.
The plot revolves around Medea’s intense emotional response to Jason’s betrayal and her desire for revenge. In her anguish, she devises a plan to punish Jason by murdering their children, as well as Glauce and Creon. Despite moments of hesitation and conflicting emotions, Medea ultimately carries out her plan, resulting in a tragic conclusion.
“Medea” explores themes of betrayal, revenge, gender roles, and the consequences of extreme actions driven by passion and fury. It is considered one of Euripides’ most powerful and enduring works, with its portrayal of Medea as a complex and compelling anti-heroine challenging traditional notions of female virtue and morality.
What are the prominent themes of Medea?
The prominent themes of “Medea” include: - betrayal
- revenge
- gender roles
- power
- justice.
How does Euripides make use of well-known myths?
Euripides innovatively reinterprets well-known myths in his plays by:
- Adding Complexity: By delving into characters’ psychological motivations and moral dilemmas, he offers nuanced portrayals that challenge traditional interpretations.
- Subverting Expectations: Euripides presents alternative perspectives and outcomes, portraying heroes in a different light and empowering marginalized characters.
- Highlighting Contemporary Issues: He uses myths to address current social, political, and philosophical concerns, sparking dialogue about timeless themes such as justice and power.
- Exploring Human Emotions: Through his reinterpretations, Euripides delves into universal emotions like love, jealousy, and despair, making mythological characters relatable and emotionally resonant.
Overall, Euripides’ innovative approach to well-known myths creates compelling and thought-provoking dramas that remain relevant and captivating for audiences.
How is Medea marked as an outsider?
Medea is marked as an outsider in several ways:
- Foreign Origin: Medea is originally from Colchis, a distant land located on the eastern shores of the Black Sea. Her foreign background sets her apart from the Greek characters in the play, making her an outsider in the society of Corinth.
- Non-Greek Identity: As a non-Greek woman, Medea is perceived as culturally and ethnically different from the inhabitants of Corinth. This difference contributes to her status as an outsider in the community.
- Non-Conformity to Gender Roles: Medea defies traditional gender roles and expectations by asserting her independence and agency. Her actions challenge the patriarchal norms of ancient Greek society, further marking her as an outsider.
Does your view of Medea change throughout the play?
Yes, the audience’s view of Medea does change throughout the play. Initially seen as a victim, her increasingly drastic actions challenge the audience’s sympathy, leading to a more complex and conflicted perception of her character.
In what ways might Medea be understood as a feminist play?
“Medea” can be seen as a feminist play because it challenges gender norms, critiques male power, and portrays Medea as a strong and independent woman who refuses to be controlled by men.
How is the representation of women different in Medea as compared to either The Epic of Gilgamesh or The Odyssey?
In “Medea,” women, particularly the protagonist Medea, are portrayed with more agency and complexity compared to “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and “The Odyssey.” While women in all three works face challenges, Medea stands out as a central, strong, and independent character who drives the plot with her actions and challenges traditional gender roles. This is in contrast to the secondary and often more simplified portrayals of women in the other two works.
How are men or minor characters represented in Medea?
In “Medea,” men and minor characters are depicted in various roles:
Jason: He’s portrayed as manipulative and self-serving, embodying patriarchal attitudes.
Creon: The pragmatic king of Corinth, representing authority and conventionality.
Chorus: Corinthian women who serve as a collective voice, expressing sympathy for Medea while also voicing concerns.
Messenger and Nurse: Minor characters who offer insight and commentary on the unfolding events, witnessing Medea’s actions firsthand.
How is the domestic conflict at the heart of Medea representative of broader social issues in Greek society?
The domestic conflict in “Medea” reflects broader social issues in Greek society, including gender roles, power dynamics, social status, and notions of justice and revenge. Medea’s defiance of traditional gender norms, power struggles with Jason, and pursuit of vengeance highlight these societal tensions in a condensed form.
In what ways does Medea challenge social norms in Greek society?
Medea challenges Greek social norms by defying traditional gender roles, questioning the institution of marriage and motherhood, resorting to extreme violence for revenge, and critiquing social hierarchies as a marginalized outsider.
How does Euripides’s focus on domestic conflict differentiate his plays from earlier works of literature such as The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey?
Euripides’ focus on domestic conflict sets his plays apart from earlier epics like “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and “The Odyssey.” He shifts the focus to intimate settings and personal relationships, delving into the complexities of human emotions and moral dilemmas. His characters, particularly females like Medea, exhibit greater depth and psychological complexity, and his plays serve as critiques of societal norms while exploring tragic themes such as betrayal and revenge.
Does this play remain relevant today?
Yes, “Medea” remains relevant today due to its exploration of universal themes like betrayal and revenge, its complex characters, its critique of societal norms, and its relevance to contemporary issues such as gender inequality and abuse of power.
