Compiled Medea Plot

I have compiled the previous lists of the plot with my own and made a master list.  If anyone would like to add or change it please feel free.

I agree with the decision of the inciting incident being Creon’s offer of Glauce to Jason.

The Plot of Medea

·        Jason leaves Medea

·        Nurse grieves for Medea's fate. (Beginning Exposition)

·        Nurse worries about Medea's reaction to Jason's decision to marry Creon's daughter.

·        Tutor warns the Nurse that Creon will exile Medea (Complication)

·        Nurse sends  the children inside to hide from Medea and her overwhelming and vocal despair

·        Nurse warns Medea not to overstep her bounds to prevent punishment from the gods.

·        Chorus attempt to soothe Medea's grief.  Chorus warns Medea not to act to severely or rashly.

·        Medea prays to the gods for revenge for the unfaithfulness of her husband.

·        Medea addresses the chorus and request that they not reveal her plan.  Chorus agrees that Jason deserves punishment for his actions.

·        Creon banishes Medea and her sons.

·        Chorus agrees with and understands Medea's anger.

·        Medea manipulates Creon into letting her and the children stay for one more day.

·        Medea decides on the plan to poison everyone.  She calls on the goddess of black magic to assist her.

·        Chorus supports Medea and her decision.

·        Medea argues with Jason. Medea accuses him of being an unfaithful liar, and he berates Medea for not understanding. (Complication)

·        Jason offers Medea financial support during his families exile.  She refuses.

·        Chorus curses Jason that he will die unloved and friendless.  Chorus preaches of the burden and suffering that comes along with love.

·        Aegeus pledges to house Medea and her children in Athens in exchange for Medea's magic.

·        Medea solidifies her plan of murders.

·        Medea sends the Nurse to bring Jason.

·        Chorus disagrees with Medea's plans and they mourn the unevitable deaths to come.

·        Medea trick Jason into trusting her and letting the children stay.

·        Medea sends the children to Glauce with the elaborate, poisoned gifts.

·        Creon and Glauce die from the poison.

·        Chorus condems Medea's actions, but accuses everyone of being in the wrong.

·        Chorus begs Helios (the sun-god) to stop Medea from killing her children.  Chorus speaks of the burden of having children and the pain they cause.

·        Messenger enters and warns Medea to flee as they have identified her as the cause of Creon and Glauce's death.

·        Medea says goodbye to her sons as she must leave.

·        Medea kills her sons (climax).

·        Jason discovers his dead sons. (recognition).

·        Jason mours the death of his sons.  He wants to bury them.  (reversal).

·        Medea does not let him and flies away in the chariot of Helios with the bodies of her dead children.

·        Jason exits to bury Creon and his new wife. (new stasis).

·        Chorus ends the play by stating that the Gods act in mysterious ways.

Medea adheres to the unities of Greek drama and therefore has an intensive plot.  Every complication leads to a heightening of Medea’s intense emotion; every retaliation as a result of that emotion has devastating effects on others.  The main idea of the play, however, is the cause and effect which takes place as a result of Jason’s thirst for fame.  He is not grateful for what he has and grasps for things beyond his means.  Consequently, Jason is punished for his hubris by losing everything he originally had.