In Medea, an idea that cannot be ignored in the text is that of the gender roles in place in Greek society. By looking directly at the text, one can find numerous instances where the gender roles are stated by the characters, and it is difficult to ignore the main idea that the position of women in Greek society was unjust. For example, in her opening monologue of the play, the nurse tells the audience that Medea is "a refugee who's won respect, admired, stable, domestic – supporting her husband as she should" (line 10-12). Not only is this idea supported by the nurse, but also the chorus of all females who serve as her neighbors who come to support her and sympathize with her as she emotes.
In today's society these ideas are clearly "old fashioned" and can be titled masochistic. In fact, Medea seems the only one with enough foresight to see her own mistreatment. In her first monologue to the audience, the audience hears her worldview that strongly opposes that of the chorus and the nurse.
"What other creatures are bred so exquisitely and purposefully for mistreatment as women are?…Bad enough to have no choice in servitude – try refusing the arrangement, or later petition for divorce – the first is impossible while the second is like admitting you're a whore" (lines 241-250).
This admittance familiarizes today's audience with the adversity and dilemma Medea faces, and it raises the stakes in terms of the plot line. Making the circumstances all the more dire is when the male characters come into the picture, and the converse attitudes are witnessed by the audience.
Jason: "€¦you'd admire what I've done if sex wasn't your obsession. It's folly that women measure their happiness with the pleasures of the bed, but they do. And when the pleasure cools or their man goes missing, all they once lived for turns dark and hateful€¦" (line 575).
This is only one of many instances where Medea is berated for her emotionality and her rage toward Jason by one of the other characters, through statements. However the actions in the play also work against Medea, and enforce the idea of gender roles. The conflict in the play begins when Jason accepts Creon's offering of his daughter's hand in marriage to Jason. Although Jason states that he is marrying Glauce to better his family, there is no consideration for Medea's wants, needs, or emotions and is simply accused of acting irrationally. However Medea stands against this adversity of course through the killings of Glauce, Creon, and her two sons. The main idea that the treatment of women or position of women in Grecian society is unjust then is supported by the final scene. Throughout the play Zeus's sense of justice is referred to, so when Medea is carried away on a God's chariot it is clear that the Gods thought that her actions were justified.