Analytic Exercise #1 – Medea by Euripides

Title

Analytic Exercise #1 – Medea by Euripides

Due

Jan 26, 2023, 4:15 PM

Medea “would have never persuaded Pelias’ daughter to kill their father, never had to come to this land.” Line 11, page 3. Medea and Jason had two children during their marriage. The family (Jason, Medea, and the children)went into exile. Jason builds a ship called “Argo” to obtain the fleece to recapture his place as “rightful heir to the throne of Iolcus.” Jason’s father was the King until King Pelias “seized the throne.”

The new King sent Jason, Medea, and the children into exile. It would have made sense why Medea was filled with resentment and anger. Because her father-in-law lost his seat on the throne, and the family was sent into exile.      

Medea’s anger had become so intense that she refused to eat. The feeling she had toward “Jason has betrayed his children, my lady (Medea), for a royal bed.” Line 22, page 4. She (Medea) was in tears daily because of Jason’s injustice. Medea “…sobbing to herself for her dear father, her land, her home, and all that she betrayed for Jason, who holds her in dishonor.” Line 37-39, page 4. She has a hatred for the children and resentment of Jason. Nurse fears that Medea “…was plotting something.” Line 43, page 4.

The talk of Chorus in town about Medea’s husband taken up “…a new bed, a new bride…” line 157, page 9. It sounds that everyone in the city knew about Jason floundering ways.

Medea is conversing with the Women of Corinth, plotting, “If I should find some way, some strategy to pay my husband back, bring him to justice, keep silent.” Line 265-266, page 13. However, the Women of Corinth agree to get even with Jason.

Creon has ordered Medea and her two children into exile from the land. He fears she will “…hurt his daughter, even kill her.” Line 289, page 14. Creon received information that she wanted to harm the bride, her father, and the bridegroom.

The heart is that Medea lost everything her home, their land, and her father, and she has no one to turn to for help. Her children were displaced into exile, having nowhere to take them, but the Medea nurse seems to protect them to keep them out of arms way. She trusted Jason, who he the catalyst of their demise in their relationship. She figures there is nowhere or no one to turn to except the nurse. Her thought is “… to turn three enemies into three dead bodies: the father, and the bride, and my own husband.” Line 382-383, page 18. She talks about how to kill them with poison and which city will give her immunity.

Jason talks about how Medea keeps speaking harshly against the royal family, so they had her exiled again. Medea speaks about betrayal when going to Pelion’s slopes to support her husband that judgment. Therefore “…I killed Pelias, in the cruelest possible way at his own children’s hands.” Line 491-493, page 22. However, this seems where Jason wanted a “new bed” as he “…lusts for this new marriage.” Line 498, page 22. Jason plans to “…use my future children to benefit my present ones.” Line 583-584, page 25. Jason seems to only care about himself, money, power and using his family to get what he wants. He degrades the women population by saying, “ The whole female race should not exist. It’s nothing but a nuisance.” Line 594-595, page 25. The Chorus calls Jason out on how he treated his wife. Jason is pleading with Medea to believe him that he wasn’t to “…married into the king family.” Line 618-619, page 26. He wanted to give his first set of children “royal” siblings.

Jason is turning the table against Medea as if she is at fault. Line 645, page 27. Medea is telling Jason he will be sorry for his decision with his new marriage. Medea is having a conversation with Aegeus to profess her feeling about Jason in how unjustly the treatment he caused for the family. Aegeus offers Medea a to stay at his home as a refuge. He “ … will not give you up to anyone.” Line 747, page 33. However, he tells Medea that he will not exile her from the land, but she will leave on her own.

Jason is only hearing to appease her. However, she is begging for forgiveness for her ways of anger and blaming herself. According to Lines 885- 914, page 39. Medea accepts all faults in her relationship with Jason.

Medea gives the gift to the bridge and groom that belong to her “…father, father’s, Helios, pass down to his descendants.” Line 981-982, page 42. She sends her children to give them to the “…bride, the royal princess.” Line 983-984, page 42. Medea is setting the stage for the ultimate plan. Medea uses the children “…to bring back the good news she desires that you’ve succeeded.” Line 1002-1003, page 43. The children return, “ Why do you smile, my children, your very last smile?” Line 1062-1063, page 46. Medea takes the children inside, finding it difficult to look into their eyes. As “grief overwhelms me and working up my nerve for overwhelming evil….” Line 1100-1102, page 47.

Medea had done the impossible thing to poison her children. The Chorus “opinion: the childless among us….” Line 1112, page 47. Medea waits for Jason’s friends to give “…us of some news and dreadful act.” Line 1137, page 48. The messenger is telling Medea she must leave by any transportation mode. “The royal Princess and her father Creon have just now died the victim of your poison.” Line 1141-1142, page 48. The children and their father “wrapped the princess’s body with the embroidered robe.” Line 1177, page 50. They set the crown upon her head, and they smile at her. After the princess intakes the poison, her body changes colors. In the end, she was “…unrecognizable….” Line 1216, page 51 and “…lost it beauty….” Line 1119, page 51.

Medea “…decided: as soon as possible, I must kill my children and leave this land before I give my enemies a chance to slaughter them with a hand that moved by hatred.” Line 1260- 1263, page 52 So she said, since I give birth to them, it is my responsibility to kill them. Because they remind her of Jason, which the pain is to bear to stand. She had trapped her children, and they cannot escape now “…the sword is at their throats.” Line 1315, page 54. The women of Corinth, one of them “…to hurt her children.” Line 1324, page 55 The Chorus told Jason you understand how bad the situation is; you never said that. Medea kills the children. Jason did believe the women, so they sent him outside to “…open the gates you will see your children slaughter.” Line 1358, page 56. Medea’s grandfather “…Helios, gives me safety from hostile hands.” Line 1367-1368, page 57.

Ultimately, her revenge was to see Jason suffer from losing his children. Medea said, “I’ve jabbed your heart.” Line 1409, page 58. He knew she was an “evil mother” to their children: line 1412, page 58. Medea blames the death of their children for the way he treated her in the beginning. She wants to see him in pain because he is the first to cause her great pain and suffering. Jason wants to touch and embrace his children, but Medea tells him it is a bit late and “…wasting your words.” Line 1455, page 61. Jason called Medea a “…lion, this child-killer!” Line 1458, page 62.

• Exposition

• The pain that I’ve suffered, I’ve suffered so much, worth oceans of weeping. Oh children, a cursed, may you die- with your father! Your mother is hateful, L. 117-119 P. 8
• If your husband reveres a new bed, a new bride, don’t sharpen your mind against him L. 157-158  P. 9
• If only she’d drop her anger, unburden her burning spirits, let go of this weight of madness L. 177-179 P. 10
• If I should find some way, some strategy to pay my husband back, bring him to justice, keep silent L. 265-267 P. 13
• I hear about announce that you must leave this land, and exile, take him with you your two children L. 278-280  P. 14
• I am afraid of you. You could hurt my daughter, even kill her L. 288-289 P. 14    
• I have heard reports that you’ve made threats, that you’ve devised a plan to harm the bride, her father, and the bridegroom L. 293-295  P. 14
• Don’t worry, Creon. I don’t have it in me to do room to a man with royal power L. 314-315 P. 15
• Your words are soothing, but I’m terrified of what’s in your mind. I trust you less than ever L. 325-326 P. 15
• I need to make arrangements for my exile, find safe asylum for my children, since their father doesn’t give them any thought L. 350-352 P. 17
• Should you find you and your children still within our borders at first rising, it means your death L. 361-363 P. 17
• Instead, he’s granted me a single day to turn three enemies to three dead bodies L. 381-382 P. 18 That’s
• The best way is the most direct, to use the skills I have by nature and poison them, destroy them with my drugs L. 391-393 P. 18
• What city will receive me? What host will offer me immunity, what land will take me in and give me refuge L. 394- 396 P. 18
• I’ll take the sword and kill them, even if it means my death L. 401-402 P. 18- 19
• Everything runs in reverse- justice is upside down L. 419 P. 19
• Poor woman dishonored sent to exile L. 439- 440 P. 20
• That’s why you are now in exile L. 463-464 P. 21
• And I killed Pelias in the cruelest possible way L. 491- 492 P. 22
• You are the very worst of men-the trade me, after all of that L. 494-495 P. 22
• All trust in oaths is gone L. 499 P. 22
• Naturally, they’ll welcome me- the one who killed their father L. 513-514 P. 23
• For brass disguised as gold, you send us reliable criteria to judge L. 527-528 P. 23
• This anger is a terror, hard to heal, when loved ones clash with loved ones in dispute L. 531-532 P. 23 
• If I could use my future children to benefit my present ones L. 583-584 P. 25
• The whole female race should not exist. It’s nothing but a nuisance L. 594-595    P. 25
• But I must say, though you may disagree: you have betrayed your wife L. 997-998 P. 25
• he uses his tongue to cover up his unjust actions, and this gives him the nerve to stop at nothing no matter how outrageous L. 602-604 P. 26
• Even now you can’t control your rage Against the marriage L. 612-613 P. 26
• commit this outrage. I am deserted, exiled from this land L. 626-627 P. 27
• You brought that on yourself L. 628 P. 27
• like me to help you and the children with money for your exile L. 633-634 P. 27
• Let her be shrewd in her judgment; let her Revere the bedroom at peace L. 663-664 P. 28                        
• Inciting Incident
• Jason treats me unjustly. I’ve done him no harm L. 710 P. 31
• he has another wife, who takes my place L. 712 P. 32
• He desired a royal marriage- bond L. 718 P. 32
• I am destroyed. And that’s not all-I’m exiled L. 724 P. 32
• this is new trouble on top of trouble L. 723 P. 32
• By Creon. He is driving me from Corinth L. 724 P. 32
• And Jason is allowing it? Shame on him, L. 725 P. 32
• Don’t let me go deserted into exile; Receive me in your home and at your hearth L. 730-731 P. 33
• I’m completely helpless; they have prosperity and royal power L. 760-761 P. 34
• I will kill the children- my children L. 812-813 P. 36
• if the gods will help me, he’ll pay what justice demands L. 823-824 P. 36
• His new bride, evil woman, she must die an evil death, extinguished buy my drugs L. 827-828 P. 36
• We can plead: do not kill your children L. 870 P. 38
• How will you be able to look at your children, keep your eyes steady, see them beseech you, and not fall apart L. 875-877 P. 38
• Despite the hate between us, I will hear you out L. 881-882    P. 38-39
• I’ve been foolish, that fear is no point to all my fuming rage L. 900-901P. 39
• since the royal family has seen fit to exile me L. 959-960 P. 41
• Take these wedding gifts in your arms, my children; go and give them to the lucky bride, the royal Princess L. 982-984 P. 42
• Do you think the royal household needs more robes, more gold L. 987-988 P. 42
• I’m sure that I mean more to her than wealth L. 990 P. 42
• bring back to your mother the good news she desires-that you’ve succeeded L. 1002-1003 P. 43
• Rising Action
• Now I no longer have hope that the children will live, no longer L. 1004-1005 P. 43
• You’re a mother, yet you will slaughter them, your own children, for the sake of your bridal bed L. 1020-1022 P. 44
• Mistress, your children are released from exile. The princess happily received the gifts with her own hands L. 1024-1026 P. 44
• I’ll travel to another land, an exile, before I ever have the joy of seeing you blessed with fortune-before your wedding days L. 1045-1047 P.45
• Why do you smile, my children, your very last smile L. 1062-1063 P. 46
• Don’t do it. Spare the children. Leave them alone, poor thing L. 1080-1081 P. 46
• The royal bride’s destroyed, wrapped in her robes L. 1188 P. 47
• Children, give me your right hands, give them to your mother, let me kiss him L. 1192- 1193 P.  47
• I cannot look at them. Grief overwhelms me. L. 1100 P. 47
• I know that I am working up my nerve for overwhelming evil, yet my spirit is stronger than my mind L. 1101-1103 P. 47
• Look now; Here comes one of Jason’s men breathing hard L. 1135-1136 P. 48
• He seems to be about to tell us some news and dreadful act L. 7 1137-1138 P. 48
• Runaway! Take any ship or wagon that will carry you. Leave now! L. 1138-1139 P. 48
• Climax
• The royal princess and her father Creon had just now died-the victims of your poison L. 1141-1142 P. 48
• This news is excellent period from this day forth L. 1143 P. 49
• You’ve attacked the royal hearth- how can you rejoice, and not be frightened L. 1146-1147 P. 49
• Calm your spirit, turn your head this way, and love those whom your husband loves L. 1169-1170 P.  49
• Her skin changed color, and her legs were shaking L. 1186 P. 50
• She saw the white foam add her mouth, her eyes popping out, the blood drained from her face L. 1193-1194 P. 52
• Frightened to touch the corpse L. 1223-1224    P. 51
• There they lie, two corps, a daughter and her aged father, side-by-side L. 1242-1244 P. 51
• Take up the sword, just take it; L. 1168-1169 P. 52
• Remember that you love your children dearly, that you gave them life L. 1271-1272 P. 52
• Her hand stained with blood, her kind-killing hand upon her own children L.1179- 1281 P. 53
• What burden of rage descended upon your mind? L. 1298 -1300 P. 53
• Murder within the family brings grief L. 1304-1305 P. 53
• Do you hear the shouts, the shouts of her children L. This is1308-1309    P. 54
• Escape my mother’s hand L. 1310    P. 54
• We are destroyed L. 1311 P. 54
• To prevent this, the slaughter of children L. 1313-1314 P.54
• We’re trapped; We’re caught! The sword is at our throats L. 1316 P. 54
• Falling Action
• Poor thing; after all, L.1317 P. 54
• attack, to hurt her own children L. 1324 p. 55
• escape the royal family’s cry for justice L. 1343 p. 55
• Do you wanna kill me now L. 1353 p. 56
• the children are dead, killed at the hands of the mother L. 1354 p. 56
• You see your children slaughter L. 1358 p. 56
• You dare to strike your children with a sword
• Your child murderer L. 1394 p. 58
• You dishonored my bed L. 1402 p. 58
• curse with the evil mother L. 1412 p. 58
• Denouement/Resolution
• Pain means so little to a woman L.    P.
• Are you mourning them now L. 1448 P. 61
• To make you feel pain L. 1450 p. 61
• Let me touch the soft skin of my children L. 1454 P. 61
• Loathsome hands, the lion, the child killer L. 1457 P. 62
• Extinguish to see what you’ve done L. 1463 P. 62