Question: Why is it symbolic for Medea to compare herself to that of a lioness after she murders her children?
Answer: A lioness is a female animal known for her ferocity that will kill her offspring in times of stress. Jason had used Medea for sex and bearing children and now was going to cast her off in favor of a younger, beautiful woman who could give him more status. Jason showed no consideration or gratitude to Medea. Medea's anger was justified, but her response was extreme, and in the end her behavior was just as bad as Jason's.
Question: Is there a playwright for Medea?
Answer: The third century poet Apollonius of Rhodes wrote a very long poem titled Argonautica or "The Quest of the Golden Fleece" which contains much about Medea. Pindar wrote an ode in the first half of the fifth century which talks about Medea, and The fifth-century tragic poet Euripides wrote a tragedy about Medea.
Question: I studied a sculpture of Medea by William Wetmore Story at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and wanted to find out if you had a picture of it or any other information that cannot be obtained by reading the story by Euripides.
Answer: There is a copy of this statue at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, but the picture is not available on the web. You should realize that Medea was probably originally a goddess who was deprived of her divinity by being turned into a witch. This is common practice for one religious cult to do to another that they are trying to defeat. Material on Medea is indexed at: Click here.
Question: What is a witch's teat?
Answer: A witch is a woman who pratices the black arts. Black arts are arts which gain their power from sources that are not Christian. A Christian woman today who prays to Athena and receives an answer to her prayer would be strictly a witch. Christians reject any of the ancient greek gods as pagan and believe that any power that comes from them comes from the Devil. If Medea, Circe, or Calypso were alive today, they would be considered a witch. But these ancient Greek Ladies do not fit our image of a witch. We usually think of an old hag on a broom stick. Those ancient Greek ladies were beautiful and young and acted more like a princess. A witches' sabath involves naked old hags dancing around a bonfire. Men who saw these ancient Greek ladies dance naked were stunned by their beauty and incapacitated by their sexual power. An ancient Greek lady did not have to worry about the Devil. Greek religion had no Devil as such. Christianity would not come into existance for another 500 years and it did not come to Greece until several hundred years after that. This did not mean that the ancient Greeks were immoral. Their religion provided a high standard of morality as is evident in their literature.
During the ancient Greek period women who acted like witches were powerful interesting people. They were good or bad depending on what they did with their power. Later people felt that powerful women were all bad. Many thousands of women have been persecuted and killed for being witches in Christian societies. A witches' teat was a mark of the devil on a woman that was used after 1484 to identify women who were witches. These women were often tortured and sometimes burned at the stake. Over 100,000 women in Europe met this fate. It is shameful and sad that Christians should be so hateful of women and religiously intolerant. I would think that true Christians would be so loving that they would oppose such actions. The ancient Greeks did not look for marks of the Devil on women because they had no knowledge of the Devil.
During the ancient Greek period women who acted like witches were powerful interesting people. They were good or bad depending on what they did with their power. Later people felt that powerful women were all bad. Many thousands of women have been persecuted and killed for being witches in Christian societies. A witches' teat was a mark of the devil on a woman that was used after 1484 to identify women who were witches. These women were often tortured and sometimes burned at the stake. Over 100,000 women in Europe met this fate. It is shameful and sad that Christians should be so hateful of women and religiously intolerant. I would think that true Christians would be so loving that they would oppose such actions. The ancient Greeks did not look for marks of the Devil on women because they had no knowledge of the Devil.
Question: Do Medea's words and deeds in the play shake up the audience's trad itional idea of women?
Answer: Men want women that are easy to control and easy to fit into their fantasies. Medea does not fit this picture. But men do not have to be stupid either. Jason is being selfish and stupid. The neat thing about the play is that you get these extreme conflicts. This provides lots of action and interests. I do not think any real woman was ever like Medea, she is too extreme, but it is this extremity that makes her an interesting character and it adds to the interest of the plays she is in. Most of the choices that we have to make in our lives are nowhere near the magnitude of the choices Medea makes. But sometimes in these small choices we drift into evil. In Medea the process is more obvious because her choices are bigger and more obvious. If you can see how Medea got into trouble you might be able to see how you are getting into trouble. If Medea does not shake you up you probably do not benefit.
Question: What did Medea's costume look like?
Answer: Images of Medea on the web:
It should be obvious that these pictures represent costumes more contempory to the artist than Medea's own time. Medea's costume would be more like the ones the Minoan Ladies wore.
Question: Could you give a complete characteristics of Medea: How is she an opposite to the traditional idea of an ancient Greek woman?
Answer: Medea is not described by how she looks, but by what she can do. She does not depend upon Aphrodite's charms but rather upon potions and incantations. She does not follow men and live upon what they gather, she does for them what they cannot do themselves. And if the men do not behave, she does them in.
Question: Was Medea a tragic hero or not according to Aristotle's definition?
Answer: From Click here "According to Aristotle the tragic hero evokes our pity and terror if he is neit her thoroughly good nor thoroughly evil but a mixture of both. The tragic effect is stronger if the hero is more moral than we are. The tragic hero suffers a change in fortune from happiness to misery because of a mistaken act which he performs due to his hamartia-'error of judgement'- one form of hamartia is hubris-'pride' which leads the tragic hero to ignore or violate a divine warning or moral law. The tragic hero evokes our pity because he is not evil and his misfortune is greater than he deserves, and he evokes our fear because we realize we are fallible and could make the same error." so Medea is a tragic hero. Of course Medea is a heroine because she is a lady. Of course there is a complication. How many women can use Medea as a model of their lives? She intimidates men with her power. And are her powers within the grasp of ordinary women? Christian women would have to take their power from the Devil. Is this desirable?
Question: How does Medea show vengefullness to Jason?
Answer: She kills his bride and his two sons.
Question: Does medea actually kill Creon? The version of the play that I studied say she did, but I have seen others that say otherwise.
Answer: There is no historical answer to this question. Copyists and translators do, sometimes, make minor modifications, which this might be. You would have to compare the various Greek originals to see which is the best and go by that.
Question: WHAT KIND OF WOMAN IS MEDEA?
Answer: The kind of woman that makes good theater. She seems to have been a beautiful witch. She probably began her literary life as a goddess but she was transformed into a witch. All indications are that she was a real person but the stories about her have been retold so many times that it is impossible to determine any real truth. Information about her is available at: Click here
Question: Witches in art?
Answer: Strictly, there are no witches in ancient Greece. Witches are a Christian belief. But there are a number of Greek characters that act like witches. Medea is the most important Circe, Calypso, and even Athena act like witches. But these last are all goddesses, so they come by their power honestly. All of these characters have been the subject of art.
Question: Can you describe the estrangement of the characters Medea and Electra in terms of nature and function?
Answer: A good character in a play is usually a pretty extreme personality and this in itself is a form of estrangement. People who need to get along with people need to modify their behavior to meet the expectations of others. Usually this is a matter of being polite, but it also a matter of being helpful an serving the needs of others. Not many people get along by controlling what others do. Medea was a controlling person. She had her powers that would allow her to negotiate what she wanted. In order to deal with Medea you had to have something that Medea wanted. And if you crossed her you would be burned. The net result is that she was difficult to get along with and estranged from everybody. Medea is estranged because she depends only upon her powers to get along and does not depend on social graces.
Electra is estranged because her determination for vengence has robbed her of the ability to function in any normal way. She spent all her energy repressing her feelings for vengence and could do nothing else. She could not maintain any friends or relations and so could not socialize and get married like a normal woman would.
Question: How does the play, Medea, deal with the topic of revenge?
Answer: Powerfully. Jason does some stupid evil stuff. But instead of letting him learn from the experience and understand the consequences, Medea does something just as evil to get back at him. In the end you have a number of innocent people dead, literaly because of a desire for revenge. You can see the evils of revenge because Medea was right in condemning Jason, but becuse of how she dealt with this injustice, she is forever seen as evil and unjust herself. She could have come out of that mess looking like a saint, but she chose a bad path. She had the power for revenge and she used it and now she has to suffer the consequences. Power is sometimes associated with social status. To not use the power would have demonstrated that she did not have the power. Perhaps she had to use the power to prove her status. In order to come out of the situation on the moral side she would have had to use some restraint.
Question: Why did people choose to act this
Answer: Of course there is no reason to act in this violent, retributive way, because it is an emotional act. We do not act that way during important events, but we may in minor events. A drama about important events is more entertaining, but it speaks to the less important events that our lives are full of.
Question: what is witchcraft
Answer: Witchcraft is considered a power that is more than natural, or supernatural, that is brought about by a witch. This might be brought on by a charm, a prayer, an incantation, or a medium such as a cat. It is what witches do, such as black magic, sorcery, or intercourse with evil spirits. For some time a witch has always been considered to be a woman with these powers. A man with these powers is called a warlock, a sorcerer, or a wizard.
Christians believe that any power from the Bible is good, while any other power is bad, and comes from the Devil. Therefore witchcraft to a Christian is a great evil. Many women were tortured and burned at the stake for practicing witchcraft during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries in Europe. Fortunately, Christians have taken a more enlightened view of witches and no longer burn them and confiscate their property, but they are still persecuted. It is generally believed that those women were persecuted just because they were easy to take advantage of, they could be tortured to satisfy the lust of the torturers, and the money confiscated made the whole affair profitable. It is doubtful that any were really witches.
The ancient Greeks had no knowledge of Christianity and no knowledge of the Devil. In fact many of the practices of witchcraft are similar to standard practice of the Greek religion. Part of this is due to the fact that when Christianity took over the Greek religion in Greece in the first few centuries after the time of Jesus, they demonized the old religion and declared that continued practice of the Greek religion was evil and consorting with the Devil. Devotees of the old Greek Religion were called pagans and Christians persecuted pagans in the same way that pagans had earlier persecuted Christians. Today, in the United States of America we have laws protecting freedom of religion, so we no longer allow one religion to persecute another, but ignorant people still do it.
The ancient Greeks could not practice witchcraft though the power of the Devil, because they had no knowledge of the Devil, but there were supernatural powers. The Greeks used the power of prayer and the power of sacrifice to request favors from the deities. These were seen as natural to the Greeks. But Medea had powers that went beyond this, and they seemed more certain. She had potions, charms, and incatations. These were exceptional even to the Ancient Greeks. The truth may have been that she was just a brilliant woman and had a tremendous store of knowledge. But, to us she looks like a witch. You just have to remember that this is not the same meaning that the Christian uses.
Question: how is the role of women in culture portrayed in the Greek play, "Medea"?
Answer: Euripedes, the author of Medea, lived from 484 to 408 BCE. But the story is not necessarily fiction and is based on what might have been a real person who lived about 1300 BCE. You can study the role of women in culture, but there are two cultures involved, the culture of the author, and the culture of the subject. Euripedes used two type of material in writing the play. He used stories that had been handed down by word of mouth from the time of Medea and he used his own observations about women from the culture around him. Some effort must be used to distinguish these sources when drawing conclusions about culture. For example, one cannot conclude that women of Medea's type were at all common in the Greece of Euripedes' time. But it is fairly easy to find statements that are more likely to apply to the later period. For example when, at the beginning of the play, the nurse states: "And this is the greatest safeguard of the home--a woman not divided from her husband." Euripedes is making a point that should be verified by the experience of the audience. Later Medea seems to be describing the state of women in the author's time when she says:
"The most unhappy creature is a woman; Who first must buy a husband with her wealth And so acquire a master for her body, For not to accept a man is even worse. And her the greatest indecision lies, Whether the one she takes is good or bad. An admirable woman cannot flee, Nor can she afterwards reject her husband."
Question: who did spells
Answer: Medea, Circe, and Athena did spells.
Question: harpies
Answer: Harpies are disgusting creatures that are half woman and half bird. They would steal food right off the table and leave what was left so disgusting that no one could eat it. Both Jason and Aeneas encountered harpies. A picture link follows: Click here.
Question: is witchcraft possible
Answer: You need to understand that witchcraft normally means power that a woman acquires through a compact with the Devil. The Devil is a Christian concept that had no meaning to the ancient Greeks. Unfortunately, some Christians believe that any power that does not come directly from the Bible is also witchcraft. This definition seems too restrictive since that would make many things around us into witchcraft, since the Bible is so old that many modern conviences were not anticipated. But the intent of this thinking was to demonize the old so-called pagan religions such as the religion of the Greeks. If you are a Christian and you pray to Athena and your prayers are answered, then you could be convicted of witchcraft and the Bible says that you shall not suffer a witch to live. This seems to be a form of religious intolerance. But women have been killed in the past for this. And because of what the Bible says there are still people who believe that witches should be killed even though the law says no.
There are today men and women who think they can get power from the Devil. Society generally classifies these people as mentally ill and they are treated in mental hospitals instead of killing them. But there are also men and women who claim to be able to get power from the old pagan religions. These are called witches but they are not witches in the Christian sense. They have given up any claim to Christianity. The Christian would call any woman practicing the ancient Greek form of religion a witch but this is an extreme form of religious intolerance and a disrespect for the dead.
In the context of a person like Medea, the notion of witchcraft is useful, but it must be separated from the Christian ideas. Medea has acquired power over her surroundings that is well beyond normal capabilities. The source of her power is not clear. Sometimes mythical persons received such powers from the gods, such as Cassandra and Achilles. Others just use what they have well, such as Odysseus. Medea could have acquired these powers by observation, or she could have learned them from her mother or some other woman. It is common in life that you have to deal with another person who has powers you do not have. These powers may even seem magical to you. But you still have to deal with them. Medea represents just such a powerful person and her witchcraft seems very realistic in this context.
Question: What kind of spells did Medea do?
Answer:
Question: is witchcraft real
Answer: The answer to this question is not simple. The first point is that the ancient Greeks had no knowledge of witchcraft as we know it because strictly a witch is a woman who achieves her power through commerce with the Devil. Your belief in witchcraft depends upon your belief in the Devil. The Greeks had no knowledge of the Devil, and many other peoples have lived without any knowledge of the Devil. The second point is that many Christians have demonized belief in other gods and goddesses and they say that any power that is gotten in this way is witchcraft. This is, of course, religious intolerance, on the part of Christians. A person should be free to choose the religion that is most meaningful to them. The third point is that what seems to be witchcraft is sometimes a person's superior knowledge. In the case of women, who are traditionally uneducated, superior knowledge seems especially mysterious. Medea is most positively in the last situation. She represents a powerful woman who tries to manipulate the male dominated society. Her character is most meaningful in interpreting the consequences of this. The fact that she is called a witch is unfortunate if it raises those issues about the Devil which are not relevant.
Question: Is it real
Answer: For some reason the ancient Greeks were not happy to write works of fiction. Rather they chose to write modifications of stories from the past which had been handed down by word of mouth. The story of Medea is of this sort. There was very likely a real person named Medea who lived in Asia Minor about 1500 BCE. It is very likely that parts of her story are true and parts have been modified for dramatic effect. But there is no way of knowing which is which.
Question: What is it
Answer: Medea is a woman who lived about 3500 years ago. She was born, loved, and died. The play Medea tells her story, but we really do not know what parts are true and which false. The author thought the story had a moral importance, which is why he wrote it down.
Question: How do you do it?
Answer: The play Medea is easily presented. The staging is simple. The costumes are simple. But the message is powerful and dramatic.
Question: Who does it?
Answer: People who want to be educated and cultured become involved with the play Medea
Question: Are witches real?
Answer: See above.
Question: are potions real
Answer: A drug is a real potion.
Question: I need some help on a character analysis on Medea
Answer: I can help here.
Question: i have seen ancient greek pottery showing the escape of medea in a chariot drawn by dragons. In this picture she is wearing chinese or oriental clothing. I was wondering what is the significance of this?
Answer: Medea is pictured on the following:
I do not think that a kimono is that much different form what you see in the previous. Even back then Chinese silk was available to aristocrats like Medea.
Toward the end of the play Jason seeks vengeance on Medea, but she has escaped. The description is translated as "Medea appears above the house is a chariot drawn by dragons. She has the dead children with her." This statement symbolizes her power. Jason was crazy to spurn her, but he must have thought she was just a silly women without any power. Of course, few women are silly, and least of all Medea. An he had ample evidence of her power in the past. The reference to dragons is a fluke of translation that really did not refer to Chinese dragons. The ancient Greeks were very imaginative and came up with all kinds of weird creatures. What follows is an image described as a dragon: Click here but as you can see it looks more like a snake. The picture that you saw probably represents a more recent interpretation of what is translated.
Question: How does Euripides portray Medea compared to women portrayed in theIliad?
Answer: Medea can be compare to Circe and Calypso in the Odyssey. Medea is a mortal while Circe and Calypso are immortal goddesses. But the powers that Medea wields are similar to these other goddesses. To men women can be pretty scary creatures. They are easier to handle when they are cute and agreeable. But when they are powerful they are a nightmare. So all these women are nightmares meant to challenge in the extreme.
Question: Was infanticide common practise in ancient Greece?
Answer: Yes, it was.
Question: What do you see the role of the chorus to be? How does it differ to Aristotals definition of a chorus?
Answer: Often the chorus is the divine view of things.
Aristotle says: "The Chorus too should be regarded as one of the actors; it should be an integral part of the whole, and share in the action, in the manner not of Euripides but of Sophocles. As for the later poets, their choral songs pertain as little to the subject of the piece as to that of any other tragedy. They are, therefore, sung as mere interludes- a practice first begun by Agathon. Yet what difference is there between introducing such choral interludes, and transferring a speech, or even a whole act, from one play to another."
Question: Is Medea's outburst on the lonliness of interlectuals a reflection of that felt by Euripides?
Answer: Most likely.
Question: How many gods/goddesses are in the Greek religion?
Answer: Many thousands.
Question: I need more information on the powers of black magic? I need this information for a major speech that I have to do. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Answer: Black magic is an interesting concept. It is not clear that the power that Medea wields is black magic. It may be science. The Greeks believed that some things were caused by the gods but even the gods were limited. First, they were limited to a specific realm to which they were responsible, and second they were limited by what they could do by right, Dike, and by fate, Moira. This notion has turned into our notion of divine and natural. If we bring about some act by natural law then it is natural. Strictly, we cannot bring something about by divine law. To accomplish this we must pray to some divine power. The Greeks had many divine powers to pray to. Christians have only two, one is God, and the other is the Devil. The ancient Greeks had no notion of the Devil, but their faith was effective and produced many miracles or cures. To counter this the converting Christians demonized the ancient religion. Any prayers to the ancient gods were condemned as prayers to the Devil, which is Black magic. To get white, good, magic you must pray to the true Christian God.
Notice that in this scheme of things Athena is not a magician. Athena obtains her power by being a goddess. As such she is capable of bringing about miracles, as long as they relate to her realm, wisdom, and do not violate Dike and Moira. To be a magician, one would have to know how to communicate with Athena and convince her or appease her so she will bring about the desired result. A Christian would then view this as black magic because, since the magician did not appeal to God, he, or she must have appealed to the Devil. Neither Circe not Calypso are magicians, or witches for that matter. They may act like witches, but they are goddesses.
Medea is another matter. She is not a goddess but a mortal. She does not get her power by prayers or sacrifice. She used deceit, potions, and charms. More than likely the witnesses did not understand what they saw. What she used was her knowledge of humans and nature to bring things about. She was a very intelligent woman who used the power of her intelligence to control nature. To the ignorant person this looks like black magic. And the fact that she is a woman makes her even scarier. Nor is she a witch. To be a witch she would have to be in league with the devil. A real witch would not pray to Athena, or Artemis, or Demeter. A real witch would pray to the Devil. Medea could not be a real witch because she had no knowledge of the Devil. The Devil is a Christian concept of which the Ancient Greeks had no knowledge.
The case of Circe is so interesting because she seems so witch-like. Homer says: (Book X) "So she led them in and set them upon the chairs and high seats, and made them a mess of cheese and barley-meal and yellow honey with Pramnian wine, and mixed harmful drugs with the food to make them utterly forget their own country. Now when she had given them the cup and they had drunk it off, presently she smote them with a wand, and in the styes of the swine she penned them." This is confusing, because a goddess has no need for drugs or wand. An illusionist needs drugs to carry out the effect and the wand to distract your attention for the true cause. This seems to hark back to an earlier time when a priestess would act out what she hoped the goddess would do. What is described here is the goddess actually doing what the people saw the priestess act out.
As Odysseus goes to rescue his men from Circe he meets "Hermes, of the golden wand". Hermes gives Odysseus a "herb of virtue" to counteract the "magic sleight" of Circe. Then Homer says "Therewith the slayer of Argos gave me the plant that he had plucked from the ground, and he showed me the growth thereof. It was black at the root, but the flower was like to milk. Moly the gods call it, but it is hard for mortal men to dig; howbeit with the gods all things are possible." Odysseus is actually more of a witch than Circe because he is not a god, but he gets a god to provide him with a counter to Circe's magic. And Hermes is more like the Devil than any other Greek deity. But Odysseus is never accused of being a witch.
In the Christian Bible Jesus proves his divine nature by performing miracles. This is consistent with the Greek notion that divinities are capable of miracles. If you pray to Jesus and a miracle results, this is white magic. If you pray to the Devil and something supernatural results it is black magic. Christians have no restrictions on Jesus or the Devil such as the Dike or Moira of the Greeks.
Hopefully by now the nature of black magic is clear. Now the question is why the activities of Circe and Medea look like black magic, even though there is no possibility that they are in fact black magic. Circe is a goddess and so all things are possible for her. Medea does not call upon the gods for anything and just uses her knowledge to accomplish her ends. Yet both women act like a witch is expected to act. The reason for this is probably that like Christianity, the Greek religion has demonized an older religion. And as far as we know the main deities of that religion were women. What we witness are descriptions by men that correspond to the activities of the priestesses of that older religion.
The fact that the old religion was a goddess based religions helps us to understand why women are so commonly associated with black magic. Originally women were the most important aspect of the religion. The Greek religion took them from the top and put them lower down. The Christian religion went even farther in instituting a patriarchial system. It would seem logical that women would value the religion more were they had a higher place. So they tend to cling to the practices of the older religion. To the men this looks like black magic. Perhaps, if the men were to provide better for the needs of women, then the women would no longer look like they need to be involved in black magic.
Question: why would medea be considered a heroine?
Answer: A woman is a heroine if she plays an admirable part in a remarkable action. Medea repeatedly performs admirable actions for the Greek heroes during the remarkable voyage of the Argo. Later in her life she seems to be less heroic, even vengeful, but that is another matter.
Question: in what ways are media and lysistrata similar and opposite?
Answer: Both are scheming women, by in the Medea Medea schemes for herself and Lysistrata schemes for the whole community. Medea uses her knowledge to achieve murder and mayhem, while Lysistrata tries to eliminate this. Medea is very hard to understand, while Lysistrata operates at a very basic level. Medea creates a tragedy, while Lysistrata creates a comedy.
Question: Is there any arguments to support what Medea did (ie vengance on
jason)? i realize her actions were extreme, but did the role of women back
then change the circumstances?
Answer: What Medea did was a very powerful comment on the role of women
in ancient Greece. What we know of the political status of women suggested
that they could be treated as an oject or possession. Medea presents a stern
warning not to take advantage of this possibility. In fact the Greek
society was somewhat to blame for Medea's excesses. Women should receive
the full protection of the law, so that when they are wronged they can
obtain redress from the courts. A good legal system will eliminate the need
for vengenace.
Question: Do you think Jason was right to leave Medea for better status or
whatever, if he didnt really love her?
Answer: Jason really owed a lot to Medea. He really was just using her.
This is not very good. In Medea he says:
This is not a very sympathetic view of women. Jason was not a lover of
women. He was a lover of power. For most people sexual love gets them
together, but their love grows to caring for one another. If this does
not work then perhaps they should separate. But the hope is that some
respect allows them to live a respectable later life. It does not seem that
Jason is going to provide this. What happens with too many separations is that the partners continue to battle. There is no real question but that Jason
treats Medea badly. Her response is to treat Jason badly. By the end of
the play the situation is horrible and hopeless. But by studying the choices
that led to this mess you can learn to avoid it.
Question: Do you think Medea had any other choices other then vengance or
acceptance? How exactly did her role as a women limit her? thanks.
Answer: Medea had other choices, but It is had to think of any that would
have had more of a dramatic theatrical effect. Medea details her plight
in no uncertain terms as follows:
Question: Not taking theatrical drama into account, what choices would a
women have nowadays that Medea didnt?... (ok sorry to keep asking anoying
questions, its just the women in society bit im confused
about) also which version are you taking the quotes from? My Euripidies version is different.
Answer: My translation of Medea is by Simon Goldfield in a Dell edition of
1965. Medea had several options that modern women do not: spells, potions,
wands, and incantations. Modern women have several options that Medea did
not have: Our legal system gives women rights such as the right to vote
and the right to sue, and it protects them with laws against rape and abuse.
Marriage is more of a contract which allows women to divorce and be
compensated.
Women are now better educated and can make intelligent choices.
Wmoen now have the choice of working outside the home so they are not so
dependent on the income of their husband.
Hand guns are a great leveler, so men rarely have an advantage of power.
Question: In some accounts, Medea's love for Jason was cast on her by a
Godess... Which one was it Aphrodite? I cant remember... Also was this becuase
this goddess favoured him for some reason?
Apollodorus(1.9.23) states: "Medea conceived a passion for him; now she was
a witch, daughter of Aeetes and Idyia, daughter of Ocean."
Apollonius of Rhodes in his "The Voyage of the Argo" has Here and Athena
plotting 'We must have a word with Aphrodite. Let us go together and ask her
to persuade her boy, it that is possible , to loose an arrow at Aeetes'
daughter, Medea, of the many spells, and make her fall in love with Jason....'
Question: Do you have some kind of spells you can hand out over email?
Answer: I will share with you any spells which Medea used, but I doubt that
they will work for you. Medea's mother was the Oceanid Idyia and therefore
was an immortal goddess. A spell will work directly for a goddess but a
mortal needs the favor of a goddess for it to work. Medea had the favor of
her mother and aunt's to get her spells to work. In order for a spell to
work for you, you must get the favor of a goddess. This is not easy
because no one believes in goddesses any more.
Here is a record of a spell from Hesiod: " For it was Hermes who
first made the tortoise a singer. The creature fell in his way
at the courtyard gate, where it was feeding on the rich grass
before the dwelling, waddling along. When be saw it, the luck-
bringing son of Zeus laughed and said:
(ll. 30-38) `An omen of great luck for me so soon! I do not
slight it. Hail, comrade of the feast, lovely in shape, sounding
at the dance! With joy I meet you! Where got you that rich gaud
for covering, that spangled shell -- a tortoise living in the
mountains? But I will take and carry you within: you shall help
me and I will do you no disgrace, though first of all you must
profit me. It is better to be at home: harm may come out of
doors. Living, you shall be a spell against mischievous
witchcraft (13); but if you die, then you shall make sweetest
song."
In the Iliad Hera went to Aphrodite and said: "I want you to endow
me with some of those fascinating charms, the spells of which bring all
things mortal and immortal to your feet." And Aphrodite responded,
"As she spoke she loosed from her bosom the curiously embroidered
girdle into which all her charms had been wrought- love, desire, and
that sweet flattery which steals the judgement even of the most
prudent. She gave the girdle to Hera and said, "Take this girdle
wherein all my charms reside and lay it in your bosom. If you
will wear it I promise you that your errand, be it what it may, will
not be bootless."
In Apollodorus(1.9.26) there is the report of one of Medea's spells:
"Putting to sea from there, they were hindered from touching at Crete by
Talos.2 Some say that he was a man of the Brazen Race, others that he was
given to Minos by Hephaestus; he was a brazen man, but
some say that he was a bull. He had a single vein extending from his neck to
his ankles, and a bronze nail
was rammed home at the end of the vein. This Talos kept guard, running round
the island thrice every day;
wherefore, when he saw the Argo standing inshore, he pelted it as usual with
stones. His death was
brought about by the wiles of Medea, whether, as some say, she drove him mad
by drugs, or, as others
say, she promised to make him immortal and then drew out the nail, so that
all the ichor gushed out and he died."
Question: PLEASE COULD YOU SEND ME SOME INFO ON GODS AND GODESSES FROM
GREECE
Answer: Click on the Menu Directory below and Choose the subject of your
choice.
Question: How does Medea show the role of women in her timeperiod, or go
against the usual role of women?
Answer: Medea is outside of time and does not show the role of women in
any time period. Women are usually nurturing, passive people that are very
much involved with community. Medea strove against men and defeated them.
Women are usually more emotional and leave the rationality to the men. Medea
was intelligent and rational, and she used her reason to further herself
and her friends. Medea is the symbol of the intelligent woman who has no
place in the social life of the community. Everyone wants to avoid her because
they do not wish to be damaged by her power, but they turn to her when they
are in trouble.
Question: Your page is actually really really helpful... I have to do a
big paper on Medea, and comparing the role of women shown in the play to the
role of women shown in Madame Bovary.. If you have any info that you think
could help me that would be very much appreciated.
The comparison may involve the comparison between a goddess and a mortal.
The women of Madame Bovary's time were not as passive as some would want. Yet
they were women. There is a question of whether Medea was a mortal woman. It
is not sufficient to write her off as a witch. A witch is a woman who obtains
her power through some divinity, usually the Devil. But the Greeks had no
concept of the Devil. Athena, Circe, and Calypso, who performed some of the
same acts as Medea, were goddesses.
From the Homeric poems:
"(ll. 956-962) And Perseis, the daughter of Ocean, bare to
unwearying Helios Circe and Aeetes the king. And Aeetes, the son
of Helios who shows light to men, took to wife fair-cheeked
Idyia, daughter of Ocean the perfect stream, by the will of the
gods: and she was subject to him in love through golden Aphrodite
and bare him neat-ankled Medea."
Apollodorus, Library and Epitome (ed. Sir James George Frazer) states:
Click here
If Medea is a goddess then she takes on an idea of woman which is quite old,
the idea of a woman who is worthy of worship. This idea is suggested by
mythology, but is not stated in written form. The idea seems to be supported
by archeological artifacts from a time before the written record. This idea
was overthrown by the Greeks and rejected by the Christian fathers so by the
time of Madam Bovary it is mostly forgotten except in reference to Medieval
witchcraft. This is a subject which could involve much study.
Question: how ,and may i cite your page?
Answer: Yes you may. For an article on the web the link is:
http://www.fjkluth.com/medea.html.
You may not copy the article in its entirety but you can link to it. You
may copy portions but the material should be quoted and annotated with the
link. If you paraphase into your own words, then you include the link
in your bibliography as a source. My homepage is
http://www.fjkluth.com
Question: know any good stress,and sleep spells?
Answer: In the Phaedo by Plato Socrates says: "There is one way, then,
in which a man can be free from all anxiety about the fate of his soul--if in
life he has abandoned bodily pleasures and adornments, as foreign to his
purpose and likely to do more harm than good, and has devoted himself to the
pleasures of acquiring knowledge, and so by decking his soul not with a
borrowed beauty but with its own--with self control, and goodness, and courage,
and liberality, and truth--has fitted himself to await his journey into the
next world." It would be nice if this spell were really easy to use, but like
so many really good spells, it is not. But, on the other hand, it really
works.
Question: character analysis on Medea
Answer: See above.
Question: please give me everything you've got on cassandra - who is
Cassandra?
Answer: Click on the Menu Directory below and click on Cassandra.
Question: When was Medea written?
Answer: Medea was written by Euripides in 431 BCE.
Question: If Medea is a tragic heroine how does she satistfy the
requirements for Airistotle characteristics of a tragic hero especially the
last three?
Answer: In the Poetics 1453a:12 Aristotle states: "The perfect
Plot, accordingly, must have a single, and not (as some tell us) a double
issue; the change in the hero's fortunes must be not from misery to happiness,
but on the contrary from happiness to misery; and the cause of it must lie not
in any depravity, but in some great error on his part; the man himself being
either such as we have described, or better, not worse, than that."
The issue for Medea is the committment between a man and his wife. Medea
was happy in her marriage to Jason, but turned miserable when he arranged to
marry the daughter of the king. The error that Medea made was not to realize
how faithless Jason really was.
Question: How does Medea make a change for the better correcting her
hamartia?
Answer: Medea misjudged Jason's faithfulness. When she recognized
that he was faithless, then she took vengeance on him.
Question: I am writing an essay about the strengths of the women in Medea
and Lysistrata what are some of your points on this subject.
Answer: Medea is strong because of her ability to bring about spells. It
is not clear that other women can participate in this strength. If this
ability comes from a keen observation of nature, then Medea is a scientist
and other women can participate in this power. If Medea is a goddess then
other women cannot participate. If Medea is a witch then perhaps women
can learn to become witches, if they can commune with Hecate, or some other
deity of the dark side of life.
The power of the women of Lysistra is their power to organize and control
their emotions.
Question: I will be directing a production of Medea next spring and I am
beginning my research. I am searching for an interesting way to present the
play for today's audience. Do you have information regarding recent stagings
of this great play. Do you have info about some of the most
successfull production? Thanks.
Answer: I do not have information about recent stagings of this play but
I have been wondering if I should produce the play just to get photographs.
I do have a weaver interested in researching the garments. I would stage
the play with women wearing authentic costumes. But would it be better
presented in Greek with subtitles? I do not know. Should you use costumes
from the Mycenean period or Classical period? There is quite a difference.
Traditional staging is sparce, but that might stifle education about Greek
culture.
Question: I am doing a character study of Medea, specificaly on how and why
she was an outsider in Corinth. Do you have any more background information
on why she was not accepted into Greek society, and how she was excluded?
Answer: Euripides wrote the play Medea in which Medea has a major
role. Medea was also important in the Quest for the Golden Fleece.
Apollonius of Rhodes wrote a poem during the classical period which describes
this. Pindar also wrote some material about Medea. You might need to read
all of this material. Medea was an outsider in Corinth because she was a
princess of Cholchis and a foreigner. She also brought about the death
of several people so her behavior was suspicious.
Question: I would like to stage Medea with authentic costumes, but should
I use costumes from the Mycenean period or Classical period?
Answer: I have arranged for the staging of either Medea or Antigone and
I am dealing with the same debate. The classical costumes are easier to
make and will be more acceptable to the audience so we are tending in that
direction. But getting a costume that actually hangs like the ones pictured
in Greek art is no small challenge. I currently am debating this subject with
a weaver who is supposed to make a chiton for me.
Question: How is Medea considered to be an "outsider" or a woman at odds
with her society?
Answer: In the ancient times it was much harder to live outside of your
family than it is now. In those days you were dependent upon your family
for welfare and social security, medical care, perhaps food, social life,
perhaps legal protection, and your citizenship. Medea was a princess in
Cholchis, but she chose to leave her family and go with Jason. This was
an enormous step in those days. Her family was horrified my her 'insult'
and sent an army to recover her. She and Jason had to kill her brother
to prevent her capture at his hands. This was a powerful act against her
family that few in ancient times could identify with. Not only was she a
foreigner, but one who had murdered her brother. She would be an alien
in any ancient society.
Question: Could you send me a diary of a medieval witch please or someone
who was acussed of a witch. Please as I need it for school work. Thank-you.
Answer: The following is a list of women who were persecuted during the
witchcraft trials of the 13th to the 17th century:
Writings by witches in diary form:
Question: What was the anagnorisis in the play?
Answer: When Medea says:
Question: Does Medea's revenge in the end make her far more guilty than
Jason?
Answer: No. One could argue that Jason drove Medea crazy and so bore
the entire responsibility.
Question: what is the relationship between Medea and the chorus? Did they
help or hinder her revenge
Answer: The chorus seems best viewed as what the deities passively witness.
It never does anything.
Question: Is Medea the only heroic character in the Argonautica?
Answer: No. All the Argonauts are heroes.
Question: What physical characteristics did Medea possess for example what
did she look like and what external traits did she possess.
Answer: Medea had neat ankles. She was beautiful with streaming hair, also.
Question: What was Medea like socially for example her family relationships or religion.
Answer: Medea did not get along with her family. But she was a priestess of
Hecate. This gave her a lot of power, physically and socially. She had the
social status of a powerful woman; she was respected and feared.
Question: What was Medea like Morally and ethically?
Answer: She was just like any normal person.
Question: What psychological characteristics does Medea possess? For
example her habitual responses, attitudes, desires, motivations, likes and
dilikes.
Answer: Medea is a character in The Voyage of the Argo by Apollonius
of Rhodes. Here are some quotes which may be useful"
III, 1-27
"...Medea of the many spells..."
III, 246-282
"...Medea...was busy all day in the temple of Hecate, of whom
she was a priestess."
III, 805-844
"She herself,...,gathered up the golden locks that were
floating round her shoulders in disorder, washed the stains
from her cheeks and cleansed her skin with an oitment clear as
nectar; then she put on a beautiful robe equipped with cunning
brooches, and threw a silvery veil over her lovely head."
"This salve was named after Prometheus. A man had only to
smear it on his body, after peopitiating the only-begotten
Maiden with a midnight offering, to become invulnerable by sword
or fire and for that day to surpass himself in strength and
daring. It first appeared in a plant that sprang from the
blood-like ichor of Prometheus in his torment, which the
flesh-eating eagle had dropped on the spurs of Caucasus. The
flowers, which grew on twin stalks a cubit high, were of the
colour of Corycian saffron, while the root looked like flesh
that has just been cut, and the juice like the dark sap of a
mountain oak. To make the ointment, Medea, clothed in black,
in the gloom of night, had drawn off this juice in a Caspian
shell after bathing in seven perenial streams and calling
seven times on Brimo, nurse of youth, Brimo, night-wanderer
of the underworld, Queen of the dead. The dark earth shook
and rumbled underneath the Titan root when it was cut, and
Prometheus himself groaned in the anguish of his soul."
Question: what is electra's character like in the story " Electra"
Answer: Click on the Menu Directory below then click on Electra.
Question: Are witches real?
Answer: It is a little late to think they are not. During the 13th through
the 17th century over 300,000 women were exterminated as witches. These were
very real people who died. And the people that killed them really thought
they were witches. Today many people do not believe in witches and they
think these people should not have died. Other people believe that as an act
of religious toleration witches should live. Still others believe in the truth
of the Bible when it says that witches should be killed, but fortunately
they do not find any.
Question: can people do witchcraft, and if so how??
Answer: Women through their dress, behavior, and makeup often have a
bewitching effect on some men which is popularly documented in songs. But can
they accomplish anything by using incatations, potions, or charms through
their association with evil spirits? Many things happen outside the realm of
science so the efficasy of such things is difficult to prove or deny. Many
believe in the Devil and believe that he causes such things. But this is a
religious belief that cannot be applied to everyone. The things that Medea did
are easy to understand. When you know a suject well then you can do things
which another person will find mysterious because of their ignorance.
Question: is hecate a goddess of the underworld? then what was the animal
that follwed her every were
Answer: My guess is a hound.
Question: what costumes did the actors wear in antigone??? thank you so much!
Answer: In ancient Greece most wore chitons or pelops, or a pelop over
a chiton. Some wor himations alone but most wore himations as an outer wrap
for warmth. Any of these garments would be acceptable for Antigone.
Question: What is an analysis of the theme to the play Medea?
Medea is a symbol of abandonment and betrayal. In addition Medea displayss
the furious revenge of a woman scorned. As for her two sons by Jason, whom
Medea murdered, we see the heart-rending motif of the slaughter of beauty and
innocence, an especially poignant example of which is only too evident in the
sacrifice of Iphigenia. It was common in ancient Greece for a woman to be
identified with nature and there is the additional theme of what happens when
nature is mistreated.
Literary Criticism in Euripides' Medea
Question: Could we have a summary of the play Medea?
Answer:
Outline of Medea
Question: Why is the play "Medea" more tragic than the play "Oedipus"?
Answer: There is more death and destruction in Medea.
Question: WHY DO MEDA CHALLENGES ANCIENT GREEK SOCIETY
DECREE THAT THE GREATEST GLORY FOR A WOMAN IS TO BEAR
CHILDREN PROVIDE SEX AND TOFULFILL THE DEMANDS OF HER
HUSBAMD
Answer: Greek societies' demands are met by a passive woman where
Medea was active and did much to advance her husband. And when he spurned her
she punished him.
Question: What did Medea do to Jason?
Answer: She loved him. And when he spurned her she punished him.
Question: In Euripides' Medea do you know what the masks looked like or if
they had the use of any costumes?
Answer: For costumes they just wore chitons. Mask images from ancient
Greece:
Question: I just want to tell you that you website is very good!
Answer: Thanks.
Question: what is Medea's emotional make up?
Answer: The reason Medea's emotions are extreme is that the situations that
she is placed in are extreme.
Question: What was witchcraft in Ancient Greek society?
Answer: Potions, charms, and incantations were all gifts of the deities
that would be received if the favor of a deity was achieved. There were
lots of possibilities for this since there were thousands of deities. Some
favors were bright as would be the case with Athena or Aphrodite. Some were
dark as in the case of Hecate. But deities could be either as in the case
of Artemis or Persephone. Trickier was avoiding the disfavor of a deity. It
was impossible to be familiar with them all, so you could not be sure of
doing everything they all required.
Question: what is Medea's role in the plot?
Answer: Because of her intelligence and power, she was usually the agent,
but Jason drove her crazy with his behavior, so she was not truely responsible.
Question: WHAT IS THE QUOTE THE GOES SOMETHING LIKE ...NO
FURRY LIKE A WOMAN SCOURNED...?
Answer: "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." -- anonymous
Question: Was revenge justified or only rationalized?
Answer: Revenge can hardly ever be justified. Jason was bad but the social
system provided medea with no recourse. But when she took matters into her
own hands she responded with excess.
Question: What kind of a woman medea was and why she chose to kill her sons?
Answer: Medea was a priestess of Hecate, and an intelligent, beautiful
woman. It is not clear that she chose to kill her sons, but this was the
result of her husband Jason's choice of a new wife.
Question: If a person gives you a reason to use black magic on them is it
wrong to do it.
Answer: This is the same as asking if you can do good by doing evil? Of
course you cannot. Well suppose something just looks evil but is good. Here
most people will condemn you for what they see. Only a few will study beyond
appearances.
Black magic is evil because it comes from the devil. But you do not have
to believe in the Devil if you do not want to. But you must then resolve
your maorality in some no-Christian system. This is what Medea had to do. She
did not use black magic because she knew nothing of the Devil. What she used
was magic of Hecate, a goddess of darkness and death. But she was judged
by what she did, and she was condemned to eternal punishment if she did evil.
Question: What do the Greek Theatre Masks look like...at least 5 of them?
Answer: some are illustrated in the page on drama at:
Click here while others are illustrated:
Click here
Question: Why is Medea considered a hero for women? Also, was it unusual for
Medea to tamper with witchcraft during that particular time frame?
Answer: When a man crossed her, she did him in. Medea did not tamper
with witchcraft. She was a priestess of Hecate and had goddesses for relatives.
These powers came naturally to her.
Question: What is the Greek translation of Medea?
Answer: My best guess is that it relates to the Sanskrit 'madati' meaning
it bubbles, it rejoices. It may mean delightful, or joyful.
Question: Medea's family tree?
Question: what symbolism does the torch at a wedding ceremony
Answer: In the Iliad (Book XVIII) Hephaetus forges the armor of Achilles.
On the shield he places many scenes: "He wrought also two cities, fair to see
and busy with the hum of men. In the one were weddings and wedding-feasts, and
they were going about the city with brides whom they were escorting by
torchlight from their chambers. Loud rose the cry of Hymen, and the
youths danced to the music of flute and lyre, while the women stood
each at her house door to see them."
In the Odyssey (Book VII): "Yea, and there were youths
fashioned in gold, standing on firm-set bases, with flaming
torches in their hands, giving light through the night to
the feasters in the palace."
It would seem that festivals often were held long into the night and torches
were needed to see in this situation. But a passage in the Odyssey (Book XIX)
with Athena seems the most informative: "...and before them Pallas Athene bare a
golden cresset and cast a most lovely light. Thereon
Telemachus spake to his father suddenly:
'Father, surely a great marvel is this that I behold with
mine eyes; meseems, at least, that the walls of the hall
and the fair main-beams of the roof and the cross-beams of
pine, and the pillars that run aloft, are bright as it were
with flaming fire. Verily some god is within, of those that
hold the wide heaven.'"
If anything, a torch is a symbol of wisdom.
Question: How did Medea, in your opinion, look, act, what was her religous
beliefs
Answer: She was beautiful, with long blond hair. Because she was a princess
she was generally well-mannered with a decorous appearance. But she was
willful and very confident in her powers, which were many. She was a priestess
of Hecate and very knowledgeable of the ways of the deities. She had numerous
close relatives as deities, and may have been a deity herself.
Question: can we sympathise with Jason?
Answer: Jason was trying to bring a better situation for himself and his
family. His family would have been better off, except for Medea. He was
trying to do what a normal man tries to do. His mistake was not his intention
but the means he chose to do it.
Question: Vengence in Medea?
Answer: Medea was quite right to seek vengence for the wrong she received.
The tragedy is the extremes she used. She would have been better to seek
justice, but the society did not support her.
Question: Can you recommend a n abridged version of Medea for my *th grade class ?
Answer: The latest version from cambridge seems very good.
Medea, John Harrison (Editor), Format: Paperback, 128pp. ISBN: 0521644798,
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: July 2000. You can order
this book from Barnes and Noble in the shopping village above.
Question: Where can i find Pindar's Fourth Pythian Ode?
Answer: This includes information about Jason and Medea. These can be
ordered from Barnes and Noble using the shopping village above.
Question: why was JOan of arc accused of heracy and witch craft?
Answer: Joan and Medea have much in common. They are powerful women who
can force men to be humiliated. This is contrary to the Christian view of
women and hense for many an immorality. But it is also a waste of important
talent. Today it is realized that it is also a form of deep prejudice.
Question: In Medea, Jason mourns the murder of his sons and reveals
underlying resentment towards non-Greeks. Can u describe how this perspective
reflects on the relationshipof women and immigrants in ancient Greek society?
Answer: Medea's situation was extreme. She was a foreign princess. To be
with Jaso she had given up both her country and her family. In ancient times
your family was almost everything. They were your connections and security.
In most cases they were your law, an your support if you were sick. Your
country helped only in larger matters. Often you were taxed within your family.
Question: How does Medea compare to other women of that time period?
Answer: Medea would be an exceptional woman in any time period.
Question: What was the authors purpose for writing Medea?
Answer: Euripides attemped to explain the spiritual nature of mankind.
Question: Would you please tell me how medea exemplifies Aristotle's
requirements for tragedy w/ support from the text?
Answer: This question is problematic because the details of Aristotle's
requirements are not specified. In the Poetics he has much to say about
tragedy, for example Aristotle says: " Two parts of the Plot, then Peripety
and Discovery, are on matters of this sort. A third part is Suffering; Which
we may define as an action of a destructive and painful nature, such as
murders on the stage, tortures, woundings, and the like." Suffering in
Medea is demonstrated in the early line of Medea's: "Oh, miserable me,
I am lost in my torment. I wish I were dead."
Question: what did the original characters wear in the play medea??
Answer: Normal clothes of the time.
Question: what is medea about?
Answer: When the feminine nature is abused the world goes crazily
destructive.
Question: I have to write an essay comparing the role of women in Medea to
women in The Odyssey. What points can I use? Help?!?
Answer: This is interesting. The main insight is that Medea is more like
a goddess and needs to be compared to Athena. The nurse of Medea can be
compared to Eurycleia, the nurse of Odysseus.
Question: how can I have my revenge to a person who insulted me much? please
give me some tips for my revenge
Answer: Medea's mistake was focusing on revenge and you should avoid making
that mistake. You should focus on people who will trade you favors and avoid
people who insult you. If you develop your skills then some day the insulter
may need your help and your ignoring them will be their loss.
Question: What happened to Medea and Jason after the play?
Answer: Jason is heard from no more, while Medea travels to Athens and
becomes part of the tales of Theseus.
Question: Can you show a picture of the kind of costumes worn in the play
Medea?
Answer: The ancient Greeks did not use costumes for tragedies. They
wore their ordinary clothes. The actors wore masks so the characters could
be identified.
Question: Was Medea justified in punishing Jason' crime?
Answer: Yes she was. But her passion drove her to a punishment that was
excessive.
Question: relating to Medea 'hell hath no fury like a women scorned'
Answer: Yes, Medea was scorned.
Question: contrast the characters of medea and clytemnestra
Answer: Medea uses potions and spells. Clytmenestra uses knives and daggers.
Medea loves her husband who spurned her and kills her children. Clytemnestra
hates her husband who killed her daughter and her previous husband. Both
women were princesses but Medea was a foreigner who had given up her right to
title.
Question: what happens to medea in the end?
Answer: Many of Medea's close relatives were immortal and she may have been
too. If she is she is still around.
Question: How was Jason hypocritical in his treatment of Medea?
Answer: Medea saved Jason's life many times and no one else could have
done it.
Question: Is Meadea more terifying as a witch or as a woman?
Answer: As a woman. Medea is an example of a woman who becomes powerful
through education and experience.
Question: Is euripids' portrayal of women in his tragedies intended as an
ideology?
Answer: Some message is intended as an ideology, but not necessarily an
individual character.
Question: what was medea's dominant character trait?
Answer: Psychic control of spells.
Question: To what extent is Euripides' Medea an enactment of male fantasies
of the devouring woman.
Answer: There is no doubt that Medea is a male nightmare, but surely one
bought on by poor judgement. The devouring woman is more like Charybdis, Scylla,
or even Calypso.
Question: what do brooches look like?
Answer: Click here
Here is one from ancient Greece. The ancients called a brooch a fibula:
Click here
Question: the role of medea in euripides
Answer: Euripides was one of the great playwrights of ancient Greece and
Medea was one of the great tragedies that he wrote.
Question: how can we compare Medea with Penelope, their lives and attitudes?
Answer: Both women used their intellect, but Penelope was a princess who
became a queen. Medea was a princess who renounced her claim and became an
exile. Medea was also a priestess, while Penelope did not have a close relation
to religion. Whether Medea obtained power by being a priestess or was actually
a goddess is not clear, but she did have remarkable spiritual powers which
Penelope lacked. Penelope resorted to more feminine schemes while Medea was
much more direct.
Question: can medea be considered a strong woman or just crazy
Answer: In the play Medea by Euripides we find Medea to be a strong
and powerful women driven crazy by the injustice of her husband's behavior.
Question: Do you know any quotes by Tituba in the play the Crucible?
Answer: The Crucible was not written by an ancient Greek, but rather by
Arthur Miller, in 1952.
Question: How is Medea a Anti-Heroine?
Answer: Some people think Medea is an anti-heroine because she was so
violent and destructive, but it is better to think of her as a powerful
person gone mad.
Question: what did the bible say about witchcraft
Answer: The ancient Greeks knew nothing about the Bible.
Question: What is everything Medea could do powers wise
Answer: To answer this question you would need to know how her powers arise.
She might actually be a goddess. She might be able to communicate with a
goddess such as Hecate, so she would get her powers from Hecate. But she might
also just be a wise person and the powers would come from her wisdom.
Question: is there a spell to put on the principal so that i won't be
expelled?
Answer: Certainly. Students do not get expelled for doing good things.
They get expelled for doing bad things. The spell for not getting expelled
involves convincing the principal that you are doing much more good than bad.
Hopefully you know good things to do. Medea was powerful because she was wise.
You need to become wise too. Then you have more capability of doing good
things.
Question: how is medeas behaviour oposed to the law
Answer: Medea made her own law.
Question: Is Medea a tragic figure or muderess
Answer: Madea was a tragic figure.
Question: Is Medea mad?
Answer: Possibly to some extent. But she also might be considered an angry
goddess.
Question: What kind of witchcraft did Medea and Circe Practised
Answer: Both Medea and Circe seemed to use potions to achieve their
results. But the potion may derive its power from nature or from some
divine source. Natural powers are available to anyone with the knowledge
of the property, but divine powers are restricted to the realm of the
goddess. Circe is referred to as a goddess by Homer, who does not define her
realm. She is not a major goddess like Athena, but she rules over many lesser
goddesses. These goddesses are the many nymphs who serve in her palace.
These nymphs have as their realm the streams of Aeaea, the island where
Circe lived. Medea is the niece of Circe, so she may be a goddess, but this
is nowhere admitted. If she is not a goddess, it may be that her powers
come from the study of herbs in nature. She may also have some relationship
with another divinity, such as Hecate, who would do her favors.
Question: Great web page! How would you support the idea of a female
protagonist in a male dominate society using Medea and Antigone? How
could I relate this to "tensions between city and family"?
Answer: Find quotes in Medea and Antigone. The issue about the tensions
is more complex
because the notions of city an family have changed. The contrast between
divine law and human law is easier to grasp. Divine law is personal while
human law is intended to organize the state. Antigone has quotes about this.
Question: Medea and Antigone are women who suffer tragically due to
their own actions as well as those of others. Both are strong and determined
but Medea triumphs in the end. Does Medea really triumph? Please address
the issues of Medea and make some comparisons with Antigone and other
Greek tragic heroes. Please include specific references from the plays to
emphasize the points. Thank you :)
Answer: Antigone triumphs better than Medea. Medea has killed her children and
Creon and his daughter quite unjustly. She gets away with it because the
system of laws is too weak. Antigone victimizes herself while Medea
victimizes others. Medea's only consolation is that Jason is to blame.
If she were brought to trial she would plead insanity.
Question: Although Medea had great powers and used them to get back at
Jason, do you think Euripides portrayed her as the victim?
Answer: Yes, but notice that her powers were not enough to keep Jason's
love.
Question: Was there some psychological reason why Medea did what she did?
Answer: Yes, probably. But you have to look at her whole life. The play
Medea does have clues to this psychology if you study it carefully.
Question: Can all the powers of nature be acquired by having control
over mana?
Answer: It sounds like you have been submitted to a silly sales gimic.
Someone always falls for a schpeal about and easy solution to all your
problems (with debt, weight, beauty, etc.). Mana is a concept that comes to
us from the South Pacific, and was not known to Medea. A discussion of man in
the context of African religion is found at: Click here. A perhaps more interesting
article relating mana to the concept of magic in history is found at: Click here.
Question: is there any character in literature you can please compare
medea with in great detail? thank you
Answer: In ancient Greece she can be compared to Circe. She can be compared
to many of the witches. She can even be compared to Joan of Arc who was
accused of being a witch. Lucrezia Borgia would make an interesting comparison
because of her involvement with poison. You could even argue for a comparison
with Sacajawea because they both saved many lives, but received little credit.
Question: why was medea a bad wife?
Answer: Medea was a bad wife because she did not submit herself to her
husbands wishes. The fact that her husband was rediculous in his requests does
not seem to enter in this question.
Question: Can you show me a piture or give me some information on
the greek god Hecate
Answer: Poseidon and Hecate. Hecate is identical to the dark side of Artemis.
Does Medea really triumph in the end of the play?
Answer: She just triumphs over Jason.
Question: what is the theme or themes in medea?
Answer: Betrayal and vengeance.
Question: What is important information to know about Jason and the Arganons?
Answer: If you can tell me what you are going to do with your life I
can tell you, but otherwise you will have to read it all, perhaps two or
three times.
Question: What is the golden fleece?
Answer: The skin of a golden lamb. It was akin the the Grail in that
it was the goal of an ancient quest, The Voyage of the Argonauts. No doubt the
fleece had some magical power because it was guarded by a fearsome dragon,
but the nature of the magic is never revealed in the stories that have come
down to us.
Question: Is it significant that both Circe and Medea are both foreign women?
Answer: I do not think so. Even though Medea and Circe are relatives,
Circe is a goddess and Medea is treated as mortal. Being a foreigner is
more important to a mortal than a goddess. More important is the question
of why Circe lives so isolated.
Question: how is medea a tragic hero?
Answer: Medea is a heroine who saved many lives with her wisdom and spells
but in the context tof the play Medea one sees little of this. What
one sees is the tragedy of her life. One sees how she loses the love of Jason
and her two children. But the killing of Jason's betrothed and her father
is not a heroic act; it is revenge.
Question: Is Medea a Tragic Hero? If so, the what are her flaws
which bring about her downfall?
Answer: Her flaw is insane jealousy, but it does not bring about her
downfall. She just fies off into the sunset.
Question: Does Medea's pride take part in that she is a tragic hero?
Why?
Answer: It is hard for a woman to have pride when her husband abandons her.
Question: Where is it shown that Medea has an inability to control
her passions?
Answer: When she murders her children she proves that.
Question: was Medea pathologically insane?
Answer: Yes. Any jury would declare her innocent by reason of insanity
of killing her children.
Question: Considering the patriarchial system that has dominated the
classical civilizations and most modern societies, why has Themis endured as
a symbol of justice?
Answer:
Question: What is Medea's symbol?
Answer: Many images of Medea incorporate a cauldron on a tripod. The color
black is also appropriate.
Question: Who are the characters of Medea
Answer: The characters are listed in the play book. They are: nurse,
children of medea, tutor, Medea, Chorus, Creon, Jason, Aegeus, messenger.
Since the cast is small the play is easy to produce.
Question: how is Medea seen as a barbarian and not a greek by the greeks
Answer: Medea was born in Colchis on the eastern end of the Black Sea.
Question: Is what Medea did justice or revenge?Why?
Answer: Revenge. Justice would not have hurt so many people.
Question: WHERE"S THE HUBRIS IN MEDEA, PLEASE RESPOND ASAP
Answer: Jason's betrothal to the princess was hubris.
Question: Where is Medea going when she leaves in thhe chariot of the
sun?
Answer: She goes to Athens where she receives sanctuary from Aegeus,
the father of Theseus.
Question: How do the conflicts in Antigone relate to present society?
Answer: Antigone continues to inspire people who have to deal with the
problems of society.
Question: How can I relate Euripedes quote" Happiness is a thing no man
possesses. Fortune may come now to one man, happiness never" to Medea and
Jason's lives.
Answer: Medea thought she was happy when she married Jason, but it was
only an illusion. Jason thought he was happy when he was betrothed to the
princess but it was only an illusion.
Question: ²s medea from a noble rank?
Answer: Yes. Medea was a princess of Colchis and a priestess of Hecate,
but she abdicated both positions when she ran off with Jason.
Question: does medea undergo reversal?
Answer: During the play Medea she has already reversed.
Question: do people still fear witches
Answer: Yes they do. Many Christians believe in the reality of the Devil
and they feel witches are instruments of this reality.
Question: what are the themes both Medea and Lysistrata share in common?
Answer: Women can get things done.
Question: what seirous issue are being explored beneath the ribald surface
of Lysistrata, and how are they expressed?
Answer: Familial, Domestic, and world peace is at issue. But world peace
is presented as a piece of ass to be shared by the male participants as they
should share the world peace. Lysistrata will be presented in Kent, OH in
April 2000.
Question: How did Medea die?
Answer: The end of Medea's story: Apollodorus, Library and Epitome, 1.9.28
"Medea came to Athens, and being there married to Aegeus bore him a son Medus.
Afterwards, however, plotting against Theseus, she was driven a fugitive from
Athens with her son. But he conquered many barbarians and called the whole
country under him Media, and marching against the Indians he met his death.
And Medea came unknown to Colchis, and finding that Aeetes had been deposed
by his brother Perses, she killed Perses and restored the kingdom to her
father." There is no record of her death.
Question: Do you believe in Greek gods? I heard that some still worshipped
them!
Answer: What is important is that the Greeks believed in them, and they were
not deceived by the Devil as some claim, for they had no knowledge of the Devil
or any Christian religion. Some regard the Greek myths as fiction, but this
is not true either. The Greek myths were stories retold by the ancient Greeks
because they thought they were true. And contemporary archeology has confirmed
a surprising amount of these stories. Of course there are parts which are
hard to believe, but all religions have these stories. If you study Greek
religion you can learn much about religion in general. The contemporary
people that worship the ancient Greek gods are called Neo-pagans or just pagans.
Question: Medea's tragedy and the eternal problems of love adultery and jealosy
Answer: It was not adultery but betrayal. Medea saved Jason's life many
times, but he said that it was really Aphrodite that did it. What Aphrodite
really did was to blind Medea to Jason's real nature. This real nature
was revealed when he wanted to advance himself by marrying a princess and
dumping Medea. Medea had been a princess but had renounced her rights when
she fell in love with Jason and left Cholchis with him. Now she was a
foreigner in a strange land. Jason said she was better off because Greece
had just laws, but where were the laws to protect Medea in her marriage.
In the end she had to make her own law.
Question: PROBLEM WITH INTERCOURSE
Answer: Medea did have sexual intercourse with Jason because she had two
children by him. But did the fact that she had only two children mean she
was having trouble with intercourse. Perhaps Medea rejected sex with Jason
and he looked elsewhere for sex.
Question: Explain how the scenes of violence in Medea, contribute to the
meaning of the complete work. What are the main themes? and How does violence
play a role in this play. Please respond ASAP.
Answer: The play is really about nature and her laws, and culture and its
laws. The is pressure for a person to act according to impulse and his own
short-term needs and gratifications. At least you feel good at the time you
do it. But in the long term you are better off considering others and
even considering the laws of nature. When you ignore the long term
consequences of your acts and ignore the feelings of others, you life can
really run amuck. The violence of Medea is nature running amuck. Jason
only considers himself and for this reason he starts a chain of disasterous
events. The magnitude of his suffering helps you to learn your lesson of
considering others when you act.
Question: is Medea completly evil
Answer: It is a great mistake to interpret Medea as completely evil. In
fact she is no more evil that the ordinary person. What makes her tragedy
so meaningful is that her mistakes could have been made by anyone. What
you must do is learn from her mistakes so you do not make them yourself.
Question: Role of women in Medea
Answer: The nurse in the play Medea says of Medea:
Earlier the nurse references the ideal:
Later Medea states the reality for women in ancient Greece:
Later she gives the challenge of the intelligent woman:
"Not for the first time, Creon, is it said
That I am clever; many a time before
This reputation has been bad for me.
No man of intelligence should have
His children brought up wiser than the rest.
They have no profit from it; all they get
Is envy from their hostile townsmen.
To bring new wisdom to the ignorant
Will make you seem to them a futile fool;
Add then, if you are recognized as better
Than those whose learning is considered deep,
They'll hate you for your presence in the city."
Medea is an extreme woman, which makes for gripping drama. But she also
presents truths that women must live with. The role of the women in Medea
may be to investigate those truths, and help men to understand what they
are up against.
Question: why was medea a greek myth?
Answer: All the information that we have about Medea is a result of the
retelling of poems by world of mouth and memory over a period of almost
800 years before the stories were written down. None of the stories
have been confirmed by archeological evidence.
Question: Explain why medea was a greek myth and its relevancy on greek life
Answer: Euripides meant Medea as a moral lesson for Greek Men and
it was probably taken. To acieve this he cast the ancient Medea in a more
contemporary situation. The details of the play describe the playwright's
situation, while the force of the play is carried by a women who the Greek
men would have considered a monster.
Question: does medea follow the elements of greek drama?
Answer: Medea is one of the plays that sets the sstandard for
Greek plays.
Question: does medicine derived from medeas name
Answer: Not likely. The word "Medea" is most related to the root "men-"
in the word mental. The Medes thought their country was named after Medea
but this is unlikely too, since their country was once called Mada, which
means mountain. The word "mountain" in derived from a different word which
has the root "men-" that means to project. Medicine is related to the root
"med-" which means to take appropriate measures. It is possible that Medea
was once a goddess of mental ability similar to Metis the Greek goddess of
Prudence.
Question: What did the Greeks think about the art of witchcraft?
Answer: Though the Greeks believed in spells, potions, and magic wands
they knew nothing of witchcraft. They believed these things were the way
the gods and goddesses worked. Adherants of the old Greek religion became
witches when the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece were demonized by the
Christian religion.
Question: What are some examples of Medea influencing ancient greek art
Answer: Medea was illustrated on vases, and she was the subject of the
work "The Voyage of the Argo" by Apollonius of Rhodes published in the
middle of the third century BCE. Euripides wrote his work Medea
about 431 BCE.
Question: My niece is designing costumes for a musical version of the play
Medea. We saw on your site that you were producing a version in Kent on
Dec 1,2&3 and that photos would be available after that production. Would it
be possible to see those photos, or get them E-mailed? My niece is particularly
interested in costume for Medea from Colchis. We would greatly appreciate any
help you can offer.
Answer:
The following web site will also be helpful:
Click Here
Question: what is medea's hamartia
Answer: In the play Medea Medea acts in so irrational way that it
might be said that she lacks judgement because she was driven crazy by Jason.
In this case she displays no hamartia. Her most dramatic decision is to seek
vengence on Jason. In the most dramatic act of the play she kills Jason's
betrothed, his father-in-law, and their two children. She has found a way
to punish Jason, but she has also punished four other human beings. It is
doubtfull that their punishment fit their crimes. It is possible that her
hamartia was that she sought a just vengence in an unjust way, killing four
people who did not deserve to die.
Question: which characteristics of a tragic hero does medea fit and why?
Answer: This is a good topic for a short student research paper because you
can find the answer easily by reading the play Medea.
Question: what kind of looking to women when we take medea as an example?
Question: how does greek culture see women according to Medea?
Answer: Medea is best taken as an example of an unusually powerful woman.
She is not a good example of an ordinary woman. The women she can be compared
to are fairly rare. To the ancient Greeks she was very problematic.
Question: rebellous
Answer: No. She was very loyal to those she loved. But when Jason spurned
her she took revenge.
Question: civil
Answer: No. There was no indication she was community minded. She looked
out for herself and her friends.
Question: is there any modern defense for Medea's crime, and did the society
cause her to murder her sons?
Answer: Today she would have been innocent by reason of insanity. Jason
caused the crime but her society was a fault because it should protect wives
against Jason's behavior. A wife should be able to bring her husband to
court if he behaves like Jason. If she can obtain satisfaction from the
court then she would not have to seek revenge.
Question: How did society betray Medea and females in general in Ancient
Greece?
Answer: See above. Also the Greek legal system worked fine if husbands
were honest and responsible. But if the husband was dead, sick, or
irresponsible the wife had little legal protection. Non-citizen wives were
worse off because they had to have a citizen friend besides their husband.
Slaves were the worst off because their master could do with them as they would
without recourse. Women slaves could be raped, beaten, maimed, or even killed
by their master without any recourse.
Question: Did medea present more of a male figure and if so how was she
able to conceal it long enough to attract Jason, a shovinist?
Answer: Medea was a beautiful princess, but Jason was an opportunist.
Jason was not attracted by Medea's charm. He needed her ability. Later he
married her after she had demonstrated her powers many times. He threw her
away when her powers were no longer useful. His chauvanism meant he
miscalculated her abilities for revenge.
Question: what is the theme in medea?
Answer: Betrayal and revenge. But this is an over-simplification.
Question: On what terms can medea be related to lysistrata?
Answer: Both were women. Medea acted alone while Lysistrata was an
organizer. Medea was historical, while Lysistrata was probably fictional.
Question: as a woman do u think that Medea should be blamed totally for all that she did?
Answer: A normal woman would be driven crazy by Jason's behavior so Medea
can be assumed to have been driven crazy and would be innocent by reason of
insanity.
Question: how do the gender stereotypes manifest themselves in Medea
versus Jason?
Answer: Medea talks about them at length.
Question: what notion of women and sexuality does Medea's escape on a
chariot of dragons represent?
Answer: Medea has made a number of sacrifices for Jason including bearing
his children. Jason calculates that he can advance himself by abandoning
Medea for another woman. What he finds is that scorned women are vicious foe
and, worse yet, they have the deities on their side. Her escape is symbolic of
the dominant role that woman play in the fertility process. Men have to
realize they are not going to get what they want any other way. Women have to
be carefully considered. The dragon snakes symbolize fertility while the
flying is the symbol of dominance.
Question: where can evidence that medea was worshipped as a cult godess be
found please?
Answer: "Nothing is known of Medea?s death, if indeed she died at all.
According to one tradition, she became the consort of Achilles in the Elysian
Fields. Some say that she was worshipped as a goddess, but there is
disagreement about the truth of this claim." --Edward Tripp, The
Meridian Handbook of Classical Mythology
Apollodorus, Library and Epitome, E 5.5: "It is said that after death
Achilles consorts with Medea in the Isles of the Blest." Note: compare Ap.
Rhod., Argon. iv.810ff.; Tzetzes, Scholiast on Lycophron 174. According to the
Scholiast on Ap. Rhod., Argon. iv.815, the first to affirm that Achilles
married Medea in the Elysian Fields was the poet Ibycus, and the tale was
afterwards repeated by Simonides. The story is unknown to Homer, who describes
the shade of Achilles repining at his lot and striding alone in the Asphodel
Meadow (Hom. Od. 11.471-540).
Question: Hoe can the theme of revenge in Medea be
compared to that of the Odyssey by homer
Answer: In both cases revenge is necessitated by the fact that there is
no recourse through the rule of law to address the wrongs. But in the course
exacting her revenge Medea hurts innocent bystanders. But the wooers
represent a potent adversary should they unite. Odysseus must dispatch
them before they unite or be defeated by them as a unit.
Question: jason an Aristotelian protagonist?
Answer: This type of reading requires a close reading of Aristotles
definition of a protaginist and a close reading of Medea. The following
article may be helpful: Click Here
Question: how did Circe's get her powers?
Answer: She was born a goddess and that gave her most of her powers. She
also had knowledge of potions and antidotes.
Question: will i marry a supermodel
Answer: In ancient Greece the modeling was done by the hetaerae. Some of
the hetaerae actually became wives.
Question: Do you have any diaries regarding the people who were in the Salem
Witchcraft Trials?
Answer:
Question: How does barbarianism and Greek function in the Medea?
Answer: Almost as sarcasm. Jason brags that Medea is much better off in
Greece than in Colchis, because Greece has civilized laws. But in Colchis
Medea was a princess and did not have to worry about laws, and he is leaving
her to fend forherself without recourse to law. If Greece had had such
wonderful laws then Jason would have treated Medea much better. In fact the
Greek laws are so poor for women that Medea has to take the law into her own
hands.
Question: what was the herb "moly"?
Answer: Click here. However Homer says: 'Therewith the slayer of Argos gave me the plant
that he had plucked from the ground, and he showed me the growth
thereof. It was black at the root, but the flower was like
to milk. Moly the gods call it, but it is hard for mortal
men to dig; howbeit with the gods all things are possible.'
Question: Is Medea's revenge justified?
Answer: There is no justice in revenge.
Question: looking at Antigone, Medea and Lysistrata from the national
pattern of their behavior from their race, are they true to their
philosophy or spiritual thought of their country? Would they be cultural
deviance or contributary to the wealth of their country?
Answer: All were cultural deviants, but all were very productive
contributors to their culture.
Question: Medea, Antigone and Lysistrata were 3 Greek women who sort
of did what they think is best for them. What do you think is the
psychology of women as a whole?
Answer: I think you miss the point. These three women did not act for
themselves, but for their ideals. Only a few women get that far. But
women often make sacrifices for their family. Women are bound up with their
family and culture more than men and so act in accordance with their culture
more often. But they can also be petty in this way, while the independence of
men avoids this. The neat aspect of Greek tragedy is that the women rise up
to acting on their ideals and are not just sex objects for the men. Most
women entertainers, even today, are mere sex objects, whose sexy appearance
is everything and whose ideals mean very little.
Question: What is Medea's costume like?
Answer: Medea would have dressed like a Minoan Princess (founced skirt, girdle, and revealing vest.
Question: what did medea do for fun
Answer: She could go to a religious festival. There were a number of
festivals each month. The ladies of the house could play ball or bathe in
a clear stream. A bard might recite an epic or sing songs. A party might
be prepared with special foods where dancing was done. Jugglers, acrobats or
dancers might perform. In the evening often stories were told.
Question: Whi did Medea do what she did in the story? and is she a
part of the general behavior of women?
Answer: Medea was a powerful woman but she was driven crazy and used her
power in an evil way. Most women lack the power of Medea so when they are
driven crazy they respond differently. The behavior of the Maenads is more
typical of crazed women.
Question: What bad things did Medea do to Jason and other people
during her time with Jason
Answer: Whether Medea did bad things depends on your point of view. To
Jason they seemed good except when Jason tried to dump her.
Violent acts committed by Medea:
Question: Is there a question about Medea's sexuality/gender? As i
have found Medea to portray herself as a strong feminist, however
she appears to thrive on being the centre of a male dominated
society...
Answer: Many women thrive on being the center of a male dominated
society. She was a beautiful women and could use feminine charms as well.
But many peaple ar suspicious and threatened by a powerful woman.
Question:
Answer: Most of the time she was a hero. For the following incidents
her status is noted
Question: I came upon your wonderful web site while trying to track down
some very specific information about Medea legends. I have been unable to
find what I'm looking for (admittedly, I have not read a lot of original
sources), and was hoping you could provide some guidance.
Specifically - I am looking for original sources what mention the
ingredients in the potion of youth ( I found some in Bullfinch, but don't know
if they reflect earlier sources), and which authors wrote detailed descriptions
of this scene. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
The story of the death of Pelias comes from Pindar.
> Thanks for your prompt reply. But I'm somewhat puzzled. I wasn't looking
for anything about the death of
Pelias. It was asking about the incident in which Medea restores Aeson's
youth with a potion. I am trying to find details on the recipe for the
potion given in ancient sources, and where that scene is described in
detail. If you can help with that, it would be much appreciated.
Answer: The story of Pelias involves a potion of youth as well.
The following fragment is from Hesiod: "Fragment #2 --
Argument to Euripides Medea:
`Forthwith Medea made Aeson a sweet young boy and stripped his
old age from him by her cunning skill, when she had made a brew
of many herbs in her golden cauldrons.'"
Question: are all the characters in euripidies' elecra all equally
victious and contemptable?
Answer: Click on the Menu directory below an click on Electra.
Question: how did men get divorced
Answer: They showed them the front door and sent them out. Often they
were kind enough to return them to their family.
Question: In Line 386 Medea says "So - say they are dead: what
city will receive me then? What friend will guarantee my
safety, offer land and home as sanctuary?" Is this a
rhetorical question on Medea's part, or is she talking to
someone (like the chorus) and it i
Answer: She is really talking to herself but her comments are directed to
her friends in the chorus (and to the audience, of course).
Question: What line in Medea best sums up the rĀle of women in
Greek Society at the time of Medea?
Answer: One of the following sentences puports this: "[230] Of all
creatures that have breath and sensation, we women are the most unfortunate.
First at an exorbitant price we must buy a husband and master of our bodies.
[This misfortune is more painful than misfortune.] [235] And the outcome of our
life's striving hangs on this, whether we take a bad or a good husband. For
divorce is discreditable for women and it is not possible to refuse wedlock.
And when a woman comes into the new customs and practices of her husband's
house, she must somehow divine, since she has not learned it at home, [240]
how she shall best deal with her husband. If after we have spent great efforts
on these tasks our husbands live with us without resenting the marriage-yoke,
our life is enviable. Otherwise, death is preferable. A man, whenever he is
annoyed with the company of those in the house, [245] goes elsewhere and thus
rids his soul of its boredom [turning to some male friend or age-mate]. But we
must fix our gaze on one person only. Men say that we live a life
free from danger at home while they fight with the spear. [250] How wrong
they are! I would rather stand three times with a shield in battle than give
birth once." but I would rather hear a woman, but none speaks.
Question: Is Medea a victim of the God`s will?
Answer: No. She is a victim of her own emotions in a very difficult
situation. Revenge is an easy idea to hit upon. Justice is considerably
harder.
Question: Medea is a revenge tragedy.Discuss
Answer: This is easy if you read the play.
Question: why is medea so strong in plays when women had very
little power in real society
Answer: Women had a great deal of power in the ancient Greek society. But
Medea went beyond this into an area of anxiety that made good drama.
Question: How are gender roles depicted in this play? What do these
depictions suggest about Eurpipides' beliefs about gender roles?
Answer: This question is best answered by reading the play.
Question: Should we feel more sympathetic to Jason or Medea
Answer: You should read the play and sympathize with both, but the play
is named after Medea.
Question: what was Medea's sons names
Answer: Mermerus and Pheres
Question: what is the golden fleese
Answer: This was the goal of Jason's quest, but not much detail about the
fleece is contained in the myth. The golden fleece is the skin of a magic
sheep. Some idea of its magical nature is contained in the following article:
Click here
Question: how does medea relate in today's society? does she
influence things that we are around daily?
Answer: Women are bound up with their family and culture more than men and
so act in accordance with their culture more often. But they can also be petty
in this way, while the independence of men avoids this. The neat aspect of
Greek tragedy is that the women rise up to acting on their ideals and are not
just sex objects for the men. Most women entertainers, even today, are mere
sex objects, whose sexy appearance is everything and whose ideals mean very
little. Medea is a very unique woman who tries a different approach to a
problem that many women have to face. There is much in her struggel that the
woman of today can learn from.
Question: What modern human would you compare to Medea?
Answer: Medea is hard to compare to a human. She is not listed as a notable
woman by Judy Chicago who even lists Cleopatra. The feats of Medea exceed
any other woman in power and scope. The achievement of her evil may exceed
them too. Lucretia Borgia comes to mind, but she seems weak by comparison.
Joan of Arc had the strength, but she has purity which Medea lacks. She
may have been treated as evil in the same way as Medea. Both Joan and Medea
are thought of unfairly as witches.
Question: Is medea used in any modern literary works as
examples?
Answer: Click Here. A painting: Click here. Drama: Click here
Question: Who was Hera Acraea
Answer: "XVII. Fifteen stades distant from Mycenae is on the left the
Heraeum. Beside the road flows the brook called Water of Freedom. The
priestesses use it in purifications and for such sacrifices as are secret. The
sanctuary itself is on a lower part of Euboea. Euboea is the name they give to
the hill here, saying that Asterion the river had three daughters, Euboea,
Prosymna, and Acraea, and that they were nurses of Hera. [2] The hill opposite
the Heraeum they name after Acraea, the environs of the sanctuary they name
after Euboea, and the land beneath the Heraeum after Prosymna. This Asterion
flows above the Heraeum, and falling into a cleft disappears. On its banks
grows a plant, which also is called asterion. They offer the plant itself to
Hera, and from its leaves weave her garlands. [3]" Pausanias, Description of
Greece, 2.17.1
Question: what oaths did jason break
Answer: From the Argonautica by Apollonius Rhodius: "(ll. 1029-1030) Thus
did she implore Arete, shedding tears, and thus each of the chieftains in turn:
(ll. 1031-1052) "On your account, ye men of peerless might, and
on account of my toils in your ventures am I sorely afflicted;
even I, by whose help ye yoked the bulls, and reaped the deadly
harvest of the earthborn men; even I, through whom on your
homeward path ye shall bear to Haemonia the golden fleece. Lo,
here am I, who have lost my country and my parents, who have lost
my home and all the delights of life; to you have I restored your
country and your homes; with eyes of gladness ye will see again
your parents; but from me a heavy-handed god has raft all joy;
and with strangers I wander, an accursed thing. Fear your
covenant and your oaths, fear the Fury that avenges suppliants
and the retribution of heaven, if I fall into Aeetes' hands and
am slain with grievous outrage. To no shrines, no tower of
defence, no other refuge do I pay heed, but only to you. Hard
and pitiless in your cruelty! No reverence have ye for me in
your heart though ye see me helpless, stretching my hands towards
the knees of a stranger queen; yet, when ye longed to seize the
fleece, ye would have met all the Colchians face to thee and
haughty Aeetes himself; but now ye have forgotten your courage,
now that they are all alone and cut off."
(ll. 1053-1067) Thus she spake, beseeching; and to whomsoever
she bowed in prayer, that man tried to give her heart and to
check her anguish. And in their hands they shook their sharp
pointed spears, and drew the swords from their sheaths; and they
swore they would not hold back from giving succour, if she should
meet with an unrighteous judgement.
Question: I am writing a paper that interprets the myth of
Medea and I have come up with the following Thesis: That
Euripidies' message was that women were wrongfully repressed
and Euripidies was reminding the Men of Athens of how
powerfull women can be when they assert their power. What do
you think? Does it stand up as a thesis and if so do you
know of any supporting points/arguements? Thank you for
your time!
Answer: Most wives got their way and were not repressed. But some were
mistreated. Medea is an example of what can happen if they are mistreated.
Question: how it aws written, produced and received
Answer: Euripides wrote the play for the Dionysian festival of 431 BCE. He
may have modeled the play on a previous play by Neophron but he made the
subject thorougly his own. The play was popular throughout antiquity.
Question: Who were the gods who had anything to do with Medea in her life?
Answer: Hera was fond of Jason and got Aphrodite to attract Medea to Jason.
Circe was Medea's aunt who obsolved the couple of the murder of Medea's brother.
Medea was a priestess of Hecate and it seems this position gave her the
control over spells and potions.
Question: Is Jason a more sympathetic figure than Medea?
Answer: No. After he dumps Medea he becomes pathetic.
Question: hades piture
Answer: Click here
Question: what type of person is medea
Answer: Medea was a beautiful, intelligent, and extremely powerful woman.
Question: felicie Jacobe
Answer: All I have is the material from Judy Chicago above.
Question: I really like your page. However....when you answer
questions of Witchcraft are you speaking of "mythological"
type or the "modern" type. Because the modern witchcraft
really has nothing to do with the "mythological" type.
(*understand these are very general terms just to eplain the
difference) Maybe you could let the readers know the
Witchcraft you speak of is not of true foundation or form if
it is the same Witchcraft still practiced today. Thanks for
your time! (try checking out some witchcraft web sites if
you would wish to do so: www.witchvox.com or a FAQ at
http://members.tripod.com/~shadowdrake/HSDwitchFAQ.html or a
fun link @: http://www.bewitchedcraft.com) this might help
you when you get those girl/guys breathing down your throat
for spells and magick! ...thanks again!
Answer: Yes. This page is really only about the beliefs of the ancient
Greeks. These would have to be considered the antecedents of modern withccraft.
Question: How are gender roles depicted in Medea? What do
these depictions suggest about Euripides' beliefs about
gender roles?
Answer: In Medea gender roles are weakly presented. The leading
woman speaks about these roles but does not present them well herself. Jason
is a weak example as well. Euripides seem to tolerate a wider variety
or gender roles than we seem to find in everyday society.
Question: Do you think Euripides supported traditional roles
of women or used Medea as a positive role model for women?
Answer: Euripides was trying to communicate something to men and did not
really consider the effect on women.
Question: What is the concept and function of fate in Medea?
Answer: Fate involves the concept that the events of the past determine
the events of the future. Medea involes a certain determinedness but there
are also many choices Medea makes. The play does raise the question whether
Medea should be absolved for the events of the past or condemned for the
choices of the present.
Question: When does Medea meet Aegeus?
Answer: In the play Medea Aegeus meets Medea just after he had gone
to consult the Oracle about getting an heir. She indicates that she has
known him for some time, but where she first met him is not indicated.
Question: Where can i find character analysis of Medea, Jason
and Creon?
Answer: Read this page.
Question: What is th relation betwwen Medea and Oedipus the
King?
Answer: They are both Ancient Greek tragedies which you should read. Both
deal with mythical content and the Greek concept of fate.
Question: I need to understand the use of animals to decribe
Medea and her chariot as she leaves the palace with her
sons. Also do you think the sons were really dead since she
would let Jason touch them, maybe it was a trick? Tanks for
any information of course I need it yesterday I sure hope
you are still there!
Answer: It is never clear whether Medea is a goddess or not. Euripides
tends toward the goddess classification toward the end of Medea. The
creatures pulling her chariot are dragons which at that time were believed to
look like very large snakes. They are there, no doubt, for dramatic impact.
The ancient Greeks would have taken these to be manifestation of divine
creatures of a sort they were familiar with. There are possibly some truthful
statements in the Medea but the play was written 800 years after the
events. Other sources indicate her sons were killed by other hands. We cannot
verify that they lived or died as we have no archeolgical evidence for them.
Medea could have tricked Jason for all we know. But there is no record of
them later. Oddly enough, the validity of Medea is questionable,
but so is the validity of its denial.
Question: Do you think Medea had a good role model for
motherhood? What do you think her childhood was like?
Answer: Little is known about Medea's mother, Idyia, who may have been a
goddess. Medea herself may have been a goddess. If she was her childhood was
perhaps only a few days long. If she was not a goddess her childhood would
have been quite remarkable. She would have been a child prodigy, reading and
writing at an early age. Someone probably got her started on the study of
herbal medicine but she quickly eclipsed her master. She was so smart that
she could not find a student to follow her. She probably spent her youth
in a temple curing peope who came with problems. When she got older and worked
with really dangerous drugs people were afraid of her.
Question: how big were the masks and what did they look like
Answer: Click here
Question: how did medusa die?
Answer: There is no record of Medea's death. She did fianally return home
to the foreign land Colchis so the record may be there. But she may be a
goddess and she is immortal.
Question: I am very suprised to see that the Gods have not been mentioned
more often, seeing that they played such important roles during the Greek
era. Can you discuss the role of the Gods in Medea?
Answer: Many of the actions that Medea takes are divine in nature. So the
gods are implicit in those actions. The question of whether Medea is a goddess
or not is never resolved. Both spells and potions get their effect from the
divine. Somehow a person who casts a spell is able to tap into a divine power.
If the person is a goddess, then the power is inborn. If the person is mortal
then the power must come from a divine. The divinity may wish to return a
favor or the divinity may be favorably inclined to what the person is doing.
Athena, for example, might provide a bright idea to someone who studies a
subject, because she wants to encourage study. In return for anointing the
soil with the blood of a sacrifice, Demeter may provide you with a good crop.
A question comes with actions such as Medea takes, where one person is
favored while another is harmed. In a number of cases Medea helped Jason by
hurting someone else. How is Medea so favored that she is able to do this?
One explanation is that she is a priestess of Hecate. In this capacity she
may have provided Hecate many things which she liked. Hecate knew she was
paying back Medea when Medea was able to hurt other people. One would think
the divine would favor moral actions, but this thought came very late to the
Greeks. They thought evil was a result of the whims of the gods. The gods
would cause you evil if they wanted to punish you, or even if they just felt
badly that day. The fact is that any of the deities were capable of good or
evil. Hecate, because whe was a goddess of night, was more inclided to evil
that some others.
Question: I am studying MEDEA at school, and I was wondering what Creon's
daughter's name is. The book I have says it is Glauce, but other
information I have says that it is Cruesa.
Answer: Apollodorus, Library and Epitome, 1.9.28 calls her Glauce. Most
references call her Glauce, but Creusa is also correct.
Question: I have an essay topic which is "Jason ma bot excite the sympathy of
the audience as a character but it is he, rather than medea who sufferes
the greatest of injustices..." if you could give me a couple of starters
would appreciate it...thanks...
Answer: The character Jason in the play must be separated from Jason in the
other myths. Jason's role as a patriarch is slighted, but it is not clear
that this is worse than the slight he provides Medea by abandoning her. He
wants to advance himself but it is clear he wishes to do this at Medea's
expense. Another woman would have had to accept his slight. Jason clearly
underestimates Medea's power. Medea emasculates Jason with her power. Perhaps
the reason Jason tried to elevate himself in this way is that he had heard of
other people doing this. He expected that he should be able to do it too.
But just because you ought to be able to get away with it should you still do
it? Should you push women around because you can get away with it? If the big
man pushes women around and has his way with them, does it mean you are less
masculine if you do not? Or do you have to have your way with women just to
prove you are a man? And if you cannot have your way are you then emasculated?
Question: IN WHAT WAYS ARE MEDEA AND CIRCE, HER DEMIGODDESS AUNT,
ALIKE?
Answer: Circe was a full goddess. Both Medea and Circe mastered potions.
Question: medea's role
Answer: Initially her role was to ensure the success of the voyage of the
Argo. When Jason failed to recognize her for her role then her role became to
punish him.
Question: What is Medea's biggest downfall?
Answer: She should not have given in to her emotions and sought vengence.
Question: where was medea's home land before she met jason?
Answer: Colchis was a land on the eastern edge of the Black Sea.
Question: I need alot of info on the greek god Hephaestus for a school
report thanks.
Answer: Click Here
Question: What is the relationship between the deliberation of Medea
and Aristotle's ideas on deliberation
Answer: Medea's arguments lack the force of logic which Aristotle would
require but they are sufficient for an understanding of her action. There
is quite a difference between explaining ones action and giving and argument
that causes action in someone else.
Question: Medea has become so obsessed by grief and vengeance that she
selfishly puts innocent people to death. Is Medea justified for
killing her sons?
Answer: There are a number of possibilities:
Question: is it you my twin. i need you something went wrong i am
diieng i need the grail once more to heal me so i might continue to
be immortal as you are
Answer: Medea did not have a twin and knew nothing of the grail, which was a
Christian symbol. Medea might be an immortal, but maybe not.
Question: Does the fear of public humiliation/pride drive Medea (MEDEA,
Euripides) and Jocasta (OEDIPUS REX, Sophocles) to their plans of
actions?
Answer: Pride is involved, but the concept is probably too simple. Jocasta
disobeyed her first husband and kept Oedipus alive, and she realized this
brought about her husband's death. She also was guilty of breaking the divine
law of not marrying your own children. She would have to face divine
retribution for this. Finally her son passed a law indicating that the
murderer of her first husband would be banished, and she would have to endure
this too. All she could see was a life of torment and this was too much.
Medea was a princess in Colchis and if pride was an important issue she
would not have left Colchis. Pride might have kept her from murdering her
brother too. But what really hurt was that after making all these sacrifices
for Jason he should dump her. Banishment was a slap at her, but she was so
powerful, it was not a real problem. The real problem was that Jason did
not love her. Of course all he knew was how to use women and could not love
anyone but himself, and that was the moral of the story.
Question: what did medea have in her hair
Answer: Medusa had snakes for hair. Medea liked to wear various kinds of
hats.
Question: We can forgive Medea her rage but not her calculation. Why?
Thanx
Answer: Rage is a sign of irrationality and irresponsibility while
calculation is a sign of rationality and responsibility. We cannot forgive
her responsibility for the brutal acts she caused.
Question: medea and prejudice
Answer: Predudice involves making a judgment before the facts are known.
A number of judgements are often made about Medea in this regard. She
is often called a murderer in spite of the fact that in a trial she would
probably be declared inocent. She is often called a witch in spite of the
fact that she has no commerce with the devil. She also suffers because
she is a woman with power because men want women to be compliant.
Question: Do you know if the location of MEDEA is important in
constructing meaning in the play? Thank you.
Answer: The location of the play Medea is Corinth. This is
significant because it is not Athens, but it is in Greece. Colchis, her home
is on the eastern shore of the Black sea. In Corinth she was a foreigner.
Only in Athen
"You women have convinced yourselves that all
Will come to you if you do well in bed,
But once you are unfortunate in that,
You find the fairest hopes inimical.
How good it would have been if mortal men
Begot their children in some other way!
There would have been no race of women then,
And men would not be subject to this curse."
"The most unhappy creature is a woman;
Who first must buy a husband with her wealth
And so acquire a master for her body,
For not to accept a man is even worse.
And her the greatest indecision lies,
Whether the one she takes is good or bad.
An admirable woman cannot flee,
Nor can she afterwards reject her husband.
To usages and customs that are new
She comes, and since she never learned at home,
She has to be a prophet to divine
How best to deal with him who shares his bed.
Then, if we work things out successfully
And have our husbands living with us, not
Rebelling at the yoke they wear, or lives
Are enviable--if not, we have to die.
A man, when burdened by his household, goes
Outside to end his boredom, and can turn
To comrades he grew up with and to friends,
But we must keep our eyes on one alone.
They say we lead a life devoid of danger
At home while they do battle with the spear,
But they are wrong. I'd three times rather stand
And face a line of shields than once give birth.
But what pertains to you is not for me:
You have a city and paternal home,
Delight of life and fellowship of friends;
But I, without a city, am alone,
Ill-treated as the property of a man
Who took me from a foreign land as spoil.
No mother, brother, kinsman do I have
With whom to find a haven in distress.
This much I am content to get from you--
Your silence if I light upon the means
Of paying back my husband for the wrongs
He did to me. Althought in other ways
A woman may be full of fears and shrink
From violence and from the sight of steel
When wrongs are done her in her marriage bed,
No soul can be as bloody as her own"
Great Themis and husband of Themis,
Behold what I suffer in spite
Of the oaths that I bound him with,
That accursed husband of mine.
May I see him, along with his bride
And the house that they live in destroyed,
For they dared without cause to do me this wrong.
O father, O city, I murdered my brother
And shamefully left you behind.
"She's dangerous: no man engaged with her
in a struggle of hate will triumph easily."
While the Greek men would definitely prefer a woman who was passive and
obedient.
"(Medea) soon found favor with the people there
and worked with Jason in complete accord;
And this is the greatest safeguard of the home--
A woman not divided from her husband."
"Of all things that are living and aware,
The most unhappy creature is a woman;
Who first must buy a husband with her wealth
And so acquire a master for her body,
For not to accept a man is even worse.
And here the greatest indecision lies,
Whether the one she takes is good or bad.
An admirable woman cannot flee,
Nor can she afterwards reject her husband,
To usages and customs that are new
She comes, and since she never learned at home,
She has to be a phrophet to divine
How best to deal with him who shares her bed.
Then, if we work things out successfully
And have our husbands living with us, not
Rebelling at the yoke they wear, out lives
Are enviable--if not, we have to die,
A man, when burdened by his household, goes
Outside, to end his boredom, and can turn
To comrades he grew up with and to friends,
But we must keep our eyes on one alone.
They say we live a life devoid of danger
At home while they do battle with the spear,
But they are wrong. I'd three time rather stand
And face a line fo shields than once give birth."
Avideo of the production is available for
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