The Greek tragedy, Medea by Euripides, is the tale of a woman scorned and her tactful revenge. During the era in which Medea takes place, society often placed women into submissive roles. However, the play Medea challenges the conventional customs of Greece. Euripides displays the nonconformity and rebelliousness of Medea as a means of criticizing the treatment of women in ancient Greece.

Upon reading Euripides' Medea, one finds that Medea has many untraditional characteristics for a woman. Medea's headstrong and opinionated nature is one aspect of her nonconformity to traditional Greek standards. Traditionally, women could only be incorporated into two roles: mothers and wives, nothing more- nothing less. Medea defies perceptions of gender by exhibiting both male and female characteristics. Her ability to separate herself from her "womanly" emotions at times and perform acts that society does not see women capable of doing, further prove her ability to adapt to different situations. Upon marriage, women no longer had any control over their property. Therefore, any property those women possessed immediately had to be turned over to their husbands. She had no rights

I will not allow blubber-eyed pity, nor contempt either, to snivel over the stones of my tomb. I am not a Greek woman. (Medea I.80-82).

The first example of Euripides' unorthodox characterization of Medea as a female character, appears in the opening scenes of the play:

Medea displays extreme pride, which is stereotyped as a "male" characteristic. Her willingness to sacrifice everything, including her children, illustrates her yearning to restore her reputation. Characteristically, women have always been thought of to be mothers first, however Medea's seek of revenge overpower her maternal instincts. Medea seeks vengeance with the same determination as a man would. A woman seeking revenge challenges society's view of women as weak and passive.

Death. Death is my wish. For myself, my enemies, my children. Destruction. (I.43-44).

The latter quote immediately illustrates the character of Medea. The phrase "I am not a Greek woman" represents Medea's powerful tone. Through this phrase Medea suggests that she will not be the traditional, subservient, woman that Greek men are accustomed to. Instead she displays her independent, strong-willed, and uncompromising spirit by stating who she is as a pers

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