Violent Love As Shown In Euripides's Medea

Submitted By vgriswell0226
Words: 627
Pages: 3
Open Document
Victoria Griswell
Mrs. Raines
World Literature 1
25 April 2015
Violent Love as Shown in Medea
In the play, Medea, written by Euripides, love is violent. Love motivates Medea throughout the play. Love drives Medea to break the rules of Athenian social behavior by committing murder, and the end defies man’s act, in spite of not knowing that it could cost her, her very own life.
Medea has an undying love for Jason, which leads her to commit several acts, which are abhorred in the Athenian society. The love Medea felt for Jason, overpowers her own moral judgment, which causes her to carry out the wicked act of murdering her own children. In the play the nurse states that if Medea would not have fallen in love with Jason, “then my mistress Medea Would not have sailed for the towers of the land of Iolcos, Her heart on fire with passionate love for Jason” (Euripides 616). Jason then leaves Medea for Glauce. Medea lays collapsed in agony, not eating, in shame and scorned, dissolving the long hours in tears and suffering (Euripides 617). Jason’s abandonment provokes Medea to murder her own children. Her murderous actions demonstrate the power of love that Medea has for Jason.
Throughout the play, Medea’s desire to exact revenge against Jason is driven by her love for him. The shocking scene of Medea murdering her own children represents the force of Jason's betrayal of Medea; Medea’s reaction to this betrayal shows her passionate character, which is driven by love and causes the act of murder. This murder was seen as a transgression to the Athenian society, as it was exorbitant; even though the power of Jason's betrayal is overriding, it is not an excuse to kill the innocent. The fact that she murdered her own sons further magnifies Medea's selfish and greedy character, leading to her only motive, which is to destroy Jason because of his betrayal. The murder of her sons represents the intensity of the hatred Medea felt for Jason, because without his sons, he has no one to carry on his family line. This thought relates to the values of the Athenian society, where sons are regarded as more important than daughters, because they carry the family line in future generations. Through the act of killing her sons, it is evident that her love for Jason is immense, and thus shows that love is a primary factor, which guides the actions of Medea’s primary character.
Show More

Related Documents: Violent Love As Shown In Euripides's Medea

Essay on 1 1

deaths. Obviously, humans like to imitate biology of other species to make lives easier and more convenient than before. One of the famous psychologists, Susan Blackmore, analyzes why humans like to imitate other things, such as animals, memes, in her essay titled “Strange Creatures”. Blackmore suggests that imitation makes humans different from other species. Then, she introduces a related word, meme that anything is passed on by people, a word, a behavior, an idea and so on. Some characteristics of…

Words 795 - Pages 4

chapter 1 essay 1

Tyra Garrett Psy 2012 Prof. Smith February 5, 2015 Essay 1 Chapter 1 The seven major perspectives are biological, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, and evolutionary and last sociocultural. They all allow psychologist to understand behavior and mental processes. Biological approach is where phycologist focus on the brain and the nervous system basically the body. The behavioral approach focuses on observing behavior. The psychodynamic approach emphasizes on unconscious thought…

Words 451 - Pages 2

Essay 1

Ian Munroe Savannah State University Essay 1: Job Satisfaction Ian Munroe Dr. Jun Wu MGNT 3300 8 February 2015 Essay 1: Job Satisfaction As a manager it is essential to understand what makes and keeps employees satisfied with their jobs. A stable work environment where employees feel that their work is meaningful and important is vital for an organization to run at maximum efficiency. Researchers have compiled an extensive amount of data that explains the causes of job satisfaction…

Words 1120 - Pages 5

Of The 1% Essay

Jasmine Allen Nov. 4, 2014 ENC 1101 In class essay 1 Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1% Stiglitz begins by noting that 25 years ago the richest, 1%, of Americans had 33% of the nations wealth. It took 12% of its yearly income, whereas the corresponding figures today are 40% and almost 25%. He offers reasons to trust that nor will those outcomes for this project of massine upwards redistribution about money. More riches beheld will additionally make increased. The american democracy has become a sham…

Words 498 - Pages 2

Principles 1 Chapter 1 1 Essay

assignments on-time. Decide this evening what your goal is for this course. Make your goal very specific and devise a plan for achieving that goal. Please be prepared to work and to study REGULARLY. Dr. Ziska Chapter 1 Life: Chemical, Cellular and Evolutionary Foundations CHAPTER 1 OUTLINE/CORE CONCEPTS 1.1 The Scientific Method The scientific method is a deliberate way of asking and answering questions about the natural world. 1.2 Chemical and Physical Principles Life works according to fundamental…

Words 3123 - Pages 13

Essay 1

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) If you accept this Statement it will open your eyes to the discovery of the God that we truly serve today. The society of the world that we live in today may not understand who God really is. Many fear him because of lack of understanding, some due to their sinful nature, and some who just do not believe he even exist. The God that created all in the beginning is the same God that is alive and being served today all around…

Words 885 - Pages 4

Essay 1

1.6 Essay Question Exhibit 6 displays four enablers serves as a support for many firms to development of progressive strategies and approaches. It also serves as a support to attain supply chain, purchasing, and organizational objectives. These four pillars also connects with the organization’s requirements and philosophy. Exhibit 1.6 contains 3 sections; Part 1. Business Requirements and Guiding Philosophies Part 2. Four Pillars Part 3 Proative Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Strategies…

Words 2156 - Pages 9

ACC500Sept2014Syllabus 1 1 Essay

all courses at SNHU; excessive absences may result in failure or withdrawal from courses. More than three absences may be excessive. ACC500 Managerial Accounting Course Outline 9/2/14 Managerial Accounting & The Business Organization Chapter 1 Understanding Corporate Annual Reports Chapter 16 9/9/14 Understanding Corporate Annual Reports Chapter 16 Analysis of Financial Statements Chapter 17 p 724 through EOC 9/16/14 Introduction to Cost Behavior & Cost Volume Relationships Chapter…

Words 970 - Pages 4

essay 1 draft 1

Alan Xie Prof Anna Striedter Grammar 28 November 3, 13 Midterm (revision) We lived in a modern-perfect world that the racialism, the discrimination and most of other historical conflicts, which impeded the development of human society, had been solved. Today, people won’t treat you differently from others because of your skin or gender. The society seems becoming more and more ideal. However, nowadays it seems like it is harder for people to get outstanding accomplishment. Cause you were not…

Words 679 - Pages 3

Essay about 1 1

Eng. 1320 lab 1.1 6/17/15 A concept map presents the relationships among a set of connected concepts and ideas. It is a tangible way to display how your mind sees a particular topic. By constructing a concept map, you reflect on what you know and what you don’t know. In a concept map the concepts, usually represented by single words enclosed…

Words 407 - Pages 2