Development of Medea
In the ancient play "Medea," Euripides uses such devices as irony, conflict, foreshadowing, and stereotype to develop the character of Medea. Various examples can be seen within each of the episodes of the book. Within the Prologue of "Medea," there is a vivid image of Medea guarding her children like a lioness guarding her cubs. At this point in the play, this image shows that Medea is a compassionate and loving mother figure. The comparison of Medea to a lioness also shows that she has a strong and forceful personality much like that of a lioness. Medea also says, "lightning from heaven would split my head open." Such an intense description is in response to all the pain that Jason has caused her by leaving her for another woman. By this image, the audience can also see that Medea has a very emotional and dramatic personality. Plus, Jason is stereotyped as being an unfaithful and selfish husband throughout the play, and at this point in the play this goes to contrast the vile character of Jason with the favorable character of Medea. Most women would choose to move on in such a situation, but Medea simply cannot surmount what her husband has done to her and is tormented by it. Also, the nurse's speech concerning how fur
ious and inconsolable Medea is further supports the idea that she is dramatic and unforgiving. Finally in the Exodus, Medea is described as a "monster" and a "creature." Such descriptions depict the type of person she has become. Also, her heart is compared to steel, and this describes how heartless she is to have killed her own children for purposes of revenge. The children throughout the play symbolize innocence, and when Medea kills her children, she has also metaphorically destroyed her own innocence and has become truly sinister. Then Medea escapes at the end, and this is a stereotype of how evil is never caught. Such a stereotype further goes to show how cunning Medea is to have escaped all troubles. Euripides' play, "Medea," uses such devices as irony, conflict, foreshadowing, and stereotype to develop the character of Medea. In the second episode, Medea recalls past images by talking about "When you were sent to control the bulls that breathed fire and yoke them, and when you would sow that deadly field. Also that snake, who encircled with his many folds the Golden Fleece and guarded it and never slept, I killed, and so gave you the safety of the light." Such descriptions show that Medea is a person who feels that her husband is forever indebted and belongs to her for all that sacrifices she has made for him. Also, this episode further develops a conflict between Jason and Medea. The verbal battles between the two further goes to show Medea as being an unforgiving, enraged, and forceful character. Jason describes Medea as being a "mouthing tempest, woman, of your bitter tongue." This shows that even Jason realizes that Medea has a strong and passionate character. Also, Medea foreshadows what is to happen by saying "A curse that is what I am become to your house too." Such an evil message shows the revengeful and wicked nature of Medea. In the fifth episode, Medea says to her children, "Give
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Approximate Word count = 1306
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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