Under Aristotelian analysis, Medea can be classified as a character who is larger than life. The implication's of Medea's actions exceed Medea herself.
Medea, greatly disturbed by her husband's infidelity, plots against her own King and husband in an effort to satisfy her need for revenge. First, Medea sacrifices her belonging to the state of Thebes and security for her revenge. By displaying "sullen looks" and "angry thoughts," Medea attracts Creon's attention. After Creon exiles her, Medea does not beg for forgiveness. As she proves to be a master of manipulation as the play progresses, Medea does not use this power to stay in Thebes. Instead, she only asks for a day, so she can implement her plan that will ruin Creon, his daughter, and Jason. A fundamental part of Medea's plan involves fleeing from Thebes after she has carried out the deed against the three that have humiliated her. By fleeing Thebes, she sacrifices her own security and contact with Thebes. When she begs for another day, Medea has no knowledge of Aegeus’ coming, so it is very probable that Medea may have envisioned herself wandering the land outside of Thebes looking for a city state that would take in the murderer of a King.(" Nor have I any landing-place to come at in my trouble")
By plotting against Creon, Medea goes against the Greek ideals of loyalty to the King and City State. Additionally, by plotting against her husband, Medea goes against Patriacal Greek Values. "Divorce is not honourable to women," "a captive I from a foreign shore," "without resenting the yoke, our life is a happy one; if not, ’twere best to die. But when a man is vexed with what he finds indoors, he goeth forth and rids his soul of its disgust, betaking him to some friend or comrade of like age; whilst we must needs regard his single self" are all quotes from Medea's mouth that identify these values of Greek society. By plotting against her husband, Medea is breaking the accepted norms of Greek society. She suggests that a wife has a right to retaliate against the wrongs committed by her husband.
In an effort to get revenge with her husband, Medea also sacrifices her own children. Early in the course of the play, Medea states "I would gladly take my stand in battle array three times o’er, than once give birth." Cutting of any ties to her family, and sacrificing the very children who have caused her much toil to bear, Medea murders her children in an effort to cause Jason great agony. Most importantly, Medea throws away a mother's bond to her children in an effort to get even with Jason.
Medea can also be seen as the antagonist within the play. She stands in the way of Jason’s plan of marrying Creon’s daughter and becoming royalty. When Jason believes that he has finally accomplished his goal, Medea implements her plan of revenge, killing both his would be wife(princess) and his would be father in law.
Important Characteristics to describe Medea- Proud, manipulative, vengeful.
This is an interesting take on Medea, as the translation I read made the “battle array” line come off more as a challenge to men. She seemed to say, “Maybe you should try having a child, and then we’ll see just how much harder you think it is.” This intrigues me, as your translation was probably older and mine, I have reason to believe, dates from after Medea became a sort of feminist hero. (I know I’m not in your group, but I just had to add my bit.)