Medea as a Political Statement by Euripides

¶ … play entitled Medea Euripides wished to make a political statement, which was that marriage could be used to forge political ties. He also wished to reveal the disadvantages that marriage to a barbarian brought upon an individual in ancient Greece. Barbarians were foreigners whom ancient Greeks were condescending towards because they considered them to be uncivilized. The character Medea was labeled a barbarian as Jason stated, "first, thou dwellest in Hellas, instead of thy barbarian land, and hast learnt what justice means and how to live by law, not by the dictates of brute force"(Euripides).

Medea had escaped from her homeland in order to be with Jason; a quote attributed to her confirms this," O. my father, my country, that I have left to my shame"(Euripides). When Medea and her husband finally settled in Corinth, Jason began realizing how unpleasant life in exile was and how much of a burden it was to have a foreign wife in Greece. As Medea stated regarding this," ... A foreign wife began to appear a shame to thee"(Euripides). He felt that they would have to find a way to gain power and protection from the Corinthian rulers.

He thus believed that marriage with the Corinthian princess would be the best way to gain such favor. Through it, he wished to have royal offspring and hoped to bestow his children from both marriages with power and prestige. As Jason's own words testify," Since I have here withdrawn from Iolcos with many a hopeless trouble at my back, what happier device could I, an exile, frame than marriage with the daughter of the king ... " 'Tis that we -- and this is most important-may dwell in comfort, instead of suffering want (for well I know that every whilom friend avoids the poor), and that I might rear my sons as doth befit my house; further, that I might be the father of brothers for the children thou hast borne, and raise these to the same high rank, uniting the family in one, to my lasting bliss"(Euripides). Jason thus wished to improve his political and economic situation in Corinth through his marriage to the princess.