Rather Be Reading

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Image result for euripides medea
“Stronger than lover's love is lover's hate.
Incurable, in each, the wounds they make.”

I’d rather be reading Medea by Euripides rather than starting my weekly wash-day routine.

Euripides' Medea opens in a state of conflict. Jason has abandoned his wife, Medea, along with their two children. He hopes to advance his station by remarrying with Glauce, the daughter of Creon - king of Corinth. Jason's recent abandonment of his family has crushed Medea emotionally, to the degree that she curses her own existence, as well as that of Jason and her two children.

Fearing a possible plot of revenge, Creon banishes Medea and her children from the city. After pleading for mercy, Medea is granted one day before she must leave. After securing sanctuary in Athens, Medea sets her plan for revenge in motion. She intends on using her last day to complete her quest for justice.

An easy read when it comes to the genre of Greek tragedies, for me Medea stands as the ultimate story of a woman scorned. Not only is Medea a super feminist who’s plight in the story leads her to call out the injustices that all women suffer at the hands of men, she is also a sociopath whose cunning and quick thinking helps her exact revenge on her husband.

The Chorus of the play weeps at her ultimate decision. Readers immediately identify how crazy her character is. But at the end of the play, she succeeds in her scheme fully…


MEDEA:               […] I pray that I may see him,
                             Him and his bride and all their palace shattered
                             For the wrong they dare to do to me without cause.

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