Cruelty In Medea

Words: 646

Pages: 3

In ancient Greece, women were not on the same level as men, in regards to power and status. Women were the submissive figure and never challenged a man or superior. In the Greek tragedy, Medea, written by Euripides, the female protagonist Medea breaks this barrier and becomes not only the main character, but a powerful one at that. Cruelty in this play functions as a major social factor, it reveals the non traditional protagonist and their struggle with loss of control, as well as the destruction that comes from betrayal.
When Jason, her husband, betrays Medea by leaving her and their children for another woman, expected thing for the wife (past wife) to do is nothing. This is because it was not socially accepted for women to challenge a

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Narcissism In Medea

should be shielding him: his mother. Unfortunately, this is exactly the case in Euripides’ Medea wherein he elucidates that greed and egoism are the greatest factors leading to unhappiness; blind self-interest lays the foundation for tragedy. And in Medea’s case, cruelty goes hand in hand with this all-consuming greed for revenge on her unfaithful husband, Jason. Through her acts of blind brutality, Medea becomes a tool through which Euripides illuminates the drastic detriments resulting from narcissism…

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Medea Trickster Essay

dead, and right and wrong). Out of the many characters from the stories that have been read, Medea fits this definition almost perfectly. At first as mentioned in Hyde’s description her deception is sly. But has the story progresses her acts of hatred toward Jason become more and more obvious. In the Greek Play The Medea, the protagonist of the story Medea portrayed as the trickster in this story. Medea is a lady stuck in a male ruled place and is compelled to live her life through the decisions…

Words 680 - Pages 3

Odysseus Credibility Of Her Husband In Homer's Odyssey

While Medea has rejected her husband and her role, all aspects of Penelope’s existence, according to William J. O’Neal, are defined by her relationship to Odysseus. When Odysseus returns home, Penelope confesses that she has remained faithful to him. “Odysseus has warred, adventured, and has enjoyed the intimate company of both Circe and Calypso,” writes O’Neal (117). Homer’s Penelope does the exact opposite. “The dutiful wife accepts the absence and adultery as her husband drifts off into sleep…

Words 310 - Pages 2

Parenthood In Toni Morrison's Beloved

is motivated by the need for vengeance against Jason, and as the boys grow closer to their father, she comes to the conclusion that “they are his cubs. They have his blood. As long as they live I shall be mixed with him.” (74) In addition to this, Medea also seems to have the need to disprove the idea that she is “soft and submissive like a common woman...loving her master.” (72) She holds contempt for patriarchal gender roles, especially as Jason repeatedly imposes them on her, stating that she,…

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Essay about Dauntes Inferno

through the nine circles of hell often with the words that they were sent from heaven. Virgil reveals that it was a woman named Beatrice who sent him to guide Dante through hell. It was first the Virgin Mary who alerts St. Lucia, the foe of every cruelty (canto 34 L100), to Dante's plight. St. Lucia then alerts Beatrice, Dante's deceased love. These three women represent Heavens eternal influence over hell. These three divine women were able to arrange Dante's passage through hell from heaven. The…

Words 2012 - Pages 9

second sex Essay

SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR (1908-1986) THE SECOND SEX (Le Deuxieme Sexe) First published in 1949 English translation in 1953 by H.M. Parshley (New York: Knopf) Vintage Books paperback edition 1989 Introduction and Conclusion C.S. 204 AMERICAN UNIERSITY OF BEIRUT 1 THE SECOND SEX (Introduction and Conclusion) INTRODUCTION BOOK ONE: Part I Part II Part III FACTS AND MYTHS DESTINY HISTORY MYTHS BOOK TWO: Part IV Part V Part VI Part VI WOMAN'S LIFE TODAY THE…

Words 13788 - Pages 56