Great Books Ep 77. Euripides - Medea. Betrayal's Bitter Aftermath: The Fury of a Vengeful Heart
Great Books Ep 77. Euripides - Medea. Betrayal's Bitter Aftermath: The Fury of a Vengeful Heart
It is not prudent to provoke a vindictive person. The after-effects could be disastrous, like a fire that burns down the entire house.
“.. wild fury goads her on. Into the house without delay, come not near her eye, approach her not, beware her savage mood, the fell tempest of her reckless heart. In, in with what speed ye may.”
~ ‘Medea’ by Euripides (Edward P. Coleridge translation. GB5 - p. 213)
Brief Summary:
The play opens with a Nurse talking about Medea’s sad state of being betrayed by her husband Jason, who has married King Creon’s daughter. Knowing of Medea’s vengeful nature, the nurse is afraid of what she might do in revenge. The Nurse and the Chorus wish Medea would listen to their counsel and not do anything rash. Creon comes in and says Medea and her children are banished from Corinth since their presence is a threat to his family’s safety. Medea pleads with Creon not to exile her, but he does not relent. She then asks for just one day to plan for the exile, and he relents.
A while after Creon goes, Jason comes in. He says he married the princess not out of love but that it was a strategy to secure their and their children’s safety and life of luxury. He says her words and fame as a sorceress got her exiled. He says he will support her even when she is in exile. Medea rejects the explanations and his offer of support. She says she made enemies of her family due to her love for him and has nowhere to go.
After Jason goes, Aegeus, the King of Athens, enters and asks Medea to help interpret a message from the Oracle of Delphi. Medea offers help. She asks for his help to give her refuge if she comes to Athens. She says she will help him have children with her magical skills. He says he will give refuge if Medea can make it to Athens on her own.
After Aegeus leaves, Medea reveals her plan for revenge to the Chorus - she will send her children with poisoned gifts to the princess and then, after they return, kill them also to cause Jason more hurt. The Chorus is shocked and pleads with her to reconsider. But Medea says this will destroy everything that Jason holds dear.
Jason enters, and Medea tells him that she agrees with his marriage and will go away. She requests Jason to keep the children in Corinth and take care of them. He is delighted and talks about the bright future for the children in Corinth. Medea sends gifts to the princess with her kids. After some time, an attendant comes in with the kids and says that their gifts were accepted and that the kids will not be exiled.
A messenger comes after some time and says that the princess and the king died horrible deaths. Medea thinks again about whether she should kill the children, but since they are now unwittingly part of the king and daughter’s murder, they are also in danger. She is tormented but goes ahead with the plan.
Jason comes in, asking for Medea, saying she must be punished for killing the royal family. The Chorus informs him that Medea has also killed his children. As Jason is processing this shocking news, Medea appears above in a chariot with the bodies of the children, telling him that she will not allow him to bury them. A heated argument ensues, and in the end, Medea goes away while Jason laments for his children.
My Thoughts:
What does one do if one knows that one is with a person who is vengeful? Jason should have known that Medea is a passionate, vindictive woman. She betrayed her father, killed her brother, and killed others for Jason’s sake. She is someone who would do whatever it takes to get her way, someone to be not messed with. And yet, he chose to marry King Creon’s daughter. He says that he was not in love, but it was a strategic move to secure livelihood and protection for Medea and their sons. But he should have considered that Medea is possessive and things could turn sour.
Medea’s reputation was also well-known to others. At the outset, the nurse expressed concerns over what calamity Medea could bring. Creon knew that his family would not be safe if Medea stayed in Corinth and wanted to banish her from the place immediately. His undoing was his not listening to his instincts.
Medea being an outsider also probably had an effect on how everyone treated her and how she felt. Jason says that although she was a princess, she was from a savage land, and she learned justice and noble ways of living after coming with him. So, if a group of people are constantly afraid of another group of people doing violence, they could just make their worst fears come true. Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, their fears can lead to actions that provoke the very behavior they fear, creating a vicious cycle.
So, what should one do while with someone who is potentially dangerous? Just walk around eggshells? Some might say, get away from them. But what if that is not possible? There are so many people who cannot run away from their spouses or relatives or other people of power in their orbit because of the fear of what they might do in retaliation. I think it is not easy to get away once you get into the orbit of a vengeful person. If you made the decision knowingly, it is like Faust making a pact with the devil. There is no single solution but to be prudent and careful. Pay attention to patterns of behavior. Past actions, especially those involving violence or extreme measures, could be predictors of future behavior. Never underestimate. Never assume you can control or predict the actions of someone with a history of extreme behavior.
Also, I think extreme behaviors could be a result of childhood trauma or trauma in general. The world would greatly benefit if wars and fighting were reduced if children had a better environment to grow in, and if there was more peace overall. A broader societal approach is better than treating symptoms. A world focused on recognizing and improving mental health and healing is better than a world focused on extreme competition and winning at all costs.
Gemini (AI Chatbot) Response:
Expanding on Your Thoughts about Dealing with Vindictive People:
Your insights into dealing with vengeful people are astute. Jason's decision to marry the princess, despite knowing Medea's history and temperament, was a grave miscalculation. It underscores the danger of underestimating someone's capacity for revenge, especially when their pride and sense of belonging have been wounded.
Your point about self-fulfilling prophecies is also crucial. The fear and prejudice Medea faced as an outsider likely contributed to her feelings of isolation and fueled her desire for vengeance. This highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in preventing cycles of violence and retribution.
While leaving a dangerous situation is ideal, you're right that it's not always possible. In such cases, vigilance, setting boundaries, and seeking support from trusted individuals or professionals are crucial. It's also important to remember that extreme behavior often stems from deep-seated pain and trauma. While this doesn't excuse harmful actions, it can offer a perspective that encourages compassion and proactive solutions, like advocating for mental health support and trauma-informed care.
Deeper Analysis of the Play's Themes and Symbolism:
Revenge vs. Justice: The play explores the complex interplay between revenge and justice. Medea's actions, though horrific, raise questions about the limits of acceptable retribution, especially for women in a patriarchal society.
Gender and Power: Euripides challenges traditional gender roles. Medea, though marginalized, wields immense power through her intelligence and magical abilities. Her defiance of societal expectations forces the audience to confront the complexities of female agency in a patriarchal world.
Betrayal and Trust: The play delves into the devastating consequences of betrayal. Jason's actions shatter Medea's trust, leaving her feeling abandoned and desperate. This theme resonates deeply with audiences, as betrayal is a universal human experience.
Outsider Status: Medea's foreign origin and magical abilities mark her as an outsider. Her struggle to find acceptance and belonging reflects the challenges faced by marginalized individuals throughout history.
The Golden Fleece: The symbol of the Golden Fleece represents the pursuit of power and glory at any cost. Jason's quest for the fleece ultimately leads to his downfall, suggesting that ambition and greed can have dire consequences.
The Children: The tragic deaths of Medea's children symbolize the devastating impact of revenge. Their innocence highlights the senselessness of violence and the irreparable damage it causes.
Thought-Provoking Questions for Modern Readers:
How does the play comment on the treatment of women and outsiders in contemporary society?
Are there circumstances where revenge can be justified, or is it always destructive?
How does the play explore the themes of love, betrayal, and forgiveness?
What does the play suggest about the pursuit of power and ambition?
How can we prevent cycles of violence and revenge in our own lives and communities?
In what ways does Medea's story challenge traditional notions of motherhood and family?
"Medea" continues to captivate audiences because it grapples with timeless human struggles. By exploring its themes and symbolism, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature and the enduring power of revenge.