Language as a Tool for Character Development

Euripides uses language to define the characters, especially Medea, Jason, and the Chorus.

Medea’s vengeful temperment is greatly amplified by the language used in the play…The words vengeance, hate, and savage are continually repeated throughout the course of the play. Many “animal-like” words are used to describe Medea such as lionness, pounced, and wild.

A prime example:

-How Jason refers to Medea- While others recognize her fierce and cunning nature, Jason refers to Medea as ‘silly’…By doing so, Jason’s tragic flaw is highlighted. He wishes to become a Prince, and by solely focusing on his new wife, he fails to realize Medea’s potential. The nurse tells the audience that she is the afraid of the acts that Medea will undoubtedly commit. Creon tells Medea that he is afraid of what she would do to his daughter and knows that she is a cunning woman. Jason, who has been married to Medea, simply refers to her as “silly.”