Women and Femininity in Medea Women’s rights movements have made incredible progress in recent times. Although there are many countries around the world where women are facing political and social unjustness, the social class of women in ancient Greece of 5th century BCE was solely grounded by patriarchal ideologies. The Greek playwright Euripides creates a persistent character Medea, in his classic tragedy Medea. Today, scholars study this relentless protagonist who has become an eternal and timeless symbol of femininity and womenfolk revolt. Whilst many themes such as passion, vengeance, and exile are present within Euripides’ Medea, the theme of women and femininity is critically manifested throughout the interactions of its central …show more content…

Creep into [Glaunce]’s bedroom at night and thrust a knife into [Glaunce]’s heart. Or kill king [Creon]; kill [Jason] too” (312). Ironically, the Nurse’s hypothetical events play out which results in bloody revenge and sacrifice of satisfaction. Through Medea’s interactions with the Greek Chorus of Corinthian women and the Nurse’s monologue, Medea’s characterization begins to alter to a stand for women and femininity. Through Medea’s words and actions in her first tirade, the use of juxtaposition reflects the women revolt in the tragedy as a whole. To begin, Medea is weeping, miserable, and also called “a poor soul” (312). Medea cries of anguish and is submissively emotionally distraught in rejection of her husband. Medea is introduced to initially serve as a symbol of sympathy and pity for the audience. In contrast, throughout her tirade, she finally realizes her own intelligence against Jason. Medea includes, “Aren’t we of god’s creatures the most unlucky, we women?” (317). Medea questions the female state in the world and realizes her own depth in the ancient patriarchal Greece. In addition, throughout her tirade, Medea admits, “I’d far rather serve in the front line a dozen times, than go through childbirth once...Women don’t like violence, but when their husbands desert them, that is different” (317). In this passage, Medea acknowledges her nerve and valour