Betrayal and Revenge in Medea Essay

In his quest for the Golden Fleece, Jason elicits Medea, a women known for her supernatural powers. Shortly after, they marry. Yet, after all(a) Medea does for Jason-including killing her own brother-he decides to leave her and marry the Corinthian Princess to increase his own wealth and status. Thus, to avenge her husband for his betrayal, Medea kills the princess and the children she herself had with Jason, thus ensuring his complete downfall.Upon hearing of the sacrifice of the children and the mangle of his bride-to-be, Jason expresses the extent of his devastation and hatred towards Medea. In this passage from Euripidess Medea, Euripides reveals both Medeas cruelty and ruthlessness and the effect of her revenge on Jason-his complete destruction. In addition, Jasons reference to Medeas earlier transgressions reveals that he doesnt fully grasp what Medea gave up for him. Although Medeas actions will never be justified, Jasons chemical reaction throughout the play, and specificall y in this passage, allows the reader to feel some small measure of sympathy towards Medea.Throughout the play, Jason characterizes Medea as cruel and merciless. This is ironic because these are the akin traits that made life and success possible for Jason when he first met Medea. Yet, throughout the passage, Jason characterizes Medea as less than human. For example, he refers to her as a hateful thing and an deplorable thing(43). He even goes as far to call her a monster not a woman, having the nature wilder than that of the Scylla in the Tuscan sea(43). By referring to Medea as the Scylla-a vicious monster in the Odyssey -Jason reveals the extent to which he sees Medea as cruel and even inhuman.Jason also reveals the degree of Medeas cruelty by describing her as loathed by the gods and all of mankind(43). In addition to revealing Medeas cruelty, these phrases suggest that Medeas actions are horrible enough to become infamous among all humankind. Jason also chit-chats that there is no Hellenic woman who would have dared such deeds(43). Such characterization sets Medea apart and magnifies the cruelty of her actions. However, Jasons comment also shows how he views women in Greek society as frail and gentle. Otherwise, why wouldnt he have said there is no Greek that would have dared such deeds? Cleary, Euripides uses Jason to reveal Medeas callousness in her quest for revenge.In the passage, Euripides also reveals Jasons detachment and inability to grasp the importation of what Medea gave up for him. For example, Jason comments you who have had the heart to raise a sword against your children, you, their mother, and left me childless-you have done this, and do you still look at the sun and at the earth, after these most fearful doings(43). In these declivitys, Euripides points out Jasons detachment and disgust. Jason continually repeats the word you, suggesting that he believes that everything was Medeas fault, that her actions were unprovoked. As seen in the line you have done this, Jason lays all blame on Medea for the murder of his children and his prospective bride. Clearly, Jason doesnt fully grasp what Medea gave up for him.Although there are no justifications for her actions, Jason is partially to blame for instigating the conflict. Furthermore, Jason describes Medea as a traitress to her father and her native land and describes how she slew her own brother. These lines reveal Jasons disconnect. When she killed her brother, Medea saw her actions as necessary to help Jason, her trustworthy love. Thus, she sacrificed the acceptance and love of family for the love and acceptance she received from Jason. Not only does Jasons inability to recognize Medeas sacrifices in this passage reveal his disconnect, alone it also reveals his selfishness.Regardless of whether Jason is deserving of Medeas revenge, he is left completely devastated and without hope for the future. For him, there is little to live for. In fact, he tells Medea for me remains to call option aloud upon my fate, who will get no pleasure from my newly wedded love. And the boys whom I begot and brought up, never shall I speak to them alive(44). Finally, he comments oh, my life is over. Thus, Medea fulfills her ultimate goal-ruthlessly punishing Jason for the pain he inflicted upon her.