NEW IB ENGLISH LITERATURE COURSE BD SOMANI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MUMBAI. EMAIL andrew.callahan@bdsint.org
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The human mind thirsts for revenge and the psychology between the sane and insane is a powerful motif in Medea. Euripides is an architect, constructing a multi-layered plot that chronicles Medea’s descent into reasoned insanity. However the crux of the narrative is that Medea is, in fact, mentally stable and of sound mind. Medea is an oxymoron, exemplifying an icy fire that is atypical for the traditional ‘fractured female’ persona. Her ability to passionately argue, while maintaining sound reason, enables her to challenge traditional gender roles in a patriarchal society.
Medea is the outsider. Euripides paints her in unorthodox brushstrokes that embellish the extrinsic nature of the character. Not only is Medea a woman, she is also a divorcee, a barbarian and a sorceress. A lack of home conveys that Medea has nothing to lose; this is evident in the controlled aggression that underscores the entire play. This fearlessness is what enables Medea to challenge the audience, Jason as well as society as a whole. She is a nuanced character, neither the protagonist nor antagonist, which makes her all the more compelling. Euripides addresses the plight of women without alleviating their pain or suffering, instead ensuring that the audience is able to see them, as they truly are, as human.
The human mind thirsts for revenge and the psychology between the sane and insane is a powerful motif in Medea. Euripides is an architect, constructing a multi-layered plot that chronicles Medea’s descent into reasoned insanity. However the crux of the narrative is that Medea is, in fact, mentally stable and of sound mind. Medea is an oxymoron, exemplifying an icy fire that is atypical for the traditional ‘fractured female’ persona. Her ability to passionately argue, while maintaining sound reason, enables her to challenge traditional gender roles in a patriarchal society.
ReplyDeleteMedea is the outsider. Euripides paints her in unorthodox brushstrokes that embellish the extrinsic nature of the character. Not only is Medea a woman, she is also a divorcee, a barbarian and a sorceress. A lack of home conveys that Medea has nothing to lose; this is evident in the controlled aggression that underscores the entire play. This fearlessness is what enables Medea to challenge the audience, Jason as well as society as a whole. She is a nuanced character, neither the protagonist nor antagonist, which makes her all the more compelling. Euripides addresses the plight of women without alleviating their pain or suffering, instead ensuring that the audience is able to see them, as they truly are, as human.