Medea\'s Speech to the Woman

Medea's speech to the woman of Corinth.

One of the significant themes of Euripides' Medea is the role of women in Greek society. Through Medea, an archetype is made for the female as viewed by that society. Medea interacts with the Chorus, made up of the women of Corinth, as if they were trusted companions, even though she is deceitful and misleading to all other characters in the play. This is symbolic of the bond of womanhood, that Medea can interact with her fellow women as she cannot with any others. In her first speech to the Chorus, Medea rallies up support for her cause and receives confirmation that she is justified in seeking revenge for the mistreatment she has received.

Medea opens her speech to the Women of Corinth with statements about the unfairness that women must endure at the hands of men. She speaks of how men make judgments based on looks alone without knowing anything about a person; men make unfair assumptions about women simply because they are women. She continues, speaking of how society accepts the prejudices that men hold against women, and how women allow this to happen. However, Medea is removed from society; "Medea exhibits other signs of a woman's 'otherness' in society - she is a woman from ancient myth, in a foreign city. Jason pointedly remarks on her being a barbarian throughout the play, and says that she is capable of deeds no Greek woman would even attempt." (Geetanjali)

She continues her speech, bemoaning the woes of an unhappy wife. Women are put into a position of complete subordinate to men, having to comply to their wishes in the home. Men think that women are weaker than they are, and think their roles insignificant. Medea says, "I'd rather stand there three times in battle with my shield than give birth once." (Euripides) However, even the best of women may still be betrayed by their husband, as she was. If a woman, who becomes the property of her husband, is abandoned, then she is truly alone. Medea is even further in exile, however, because she is in a foreign land without any of her ancestors to guide her. Her husband has abandoned her for a new bride, and she is being exiled from this city. Medea has been left completely isolated, except for the companionship she is finding in the chorus she confides in. The spirit of womanhood remains with her, despite being left alone by all others.

FInally, Medea addresses the chorus with her plans for revenge. "If I find some way to punish Jason for these injustices, along with his bride and father, too, say nothing." (Euripides) In this moment, she gives warning that her wrath will fall upon those that have wronged her, but the women of the city do not wish to betray her. Similar to modern stories such as Andrea Yates (Ramsland) who told several people she intended to kill her children before committing the act, the women of Corinth are not simply negligent in preventing her from committing the act, but actually feel she is justified in seeking revenge.