Language as an Indicator of Theme and Background
Throughout Medea, Euripides uses repetition of certain words to enforce Medea’s attitude and final actions. The following words are repeated in the text:
-Hate
-Hatred
-Savage
-Wild
-Vengeance
-Fury
Euripides also uses word choice to create imagery that compares Medea to an animal. These words include:
-Pounced
-Wild
-Lioness.
The time period of the text is shown through the characters’ vocabulary and jargon.
Words that are unique to the time period include:
Guest-friends- When rich and powerful men form ties or bonds of trust with their peers
Spear-friends- Used to describe kings of chiefs in armed alliances with one another (allies)
Wedding Room- The bedchamber of a husband and wife
House- An all-encompassing word for family (The word ‘family’ did not exist.)
Aiai- Medea uses this word as a cry of pain and mourning
Language as a Tool for Character Development
Euripides uses language to define his characters.
It is evident through word choice that the Nurse and the Chorus recognize Medea's fierce and cunning nature. Medea is stubborn and is driven toward her goal of revenge. When speaking about Medea, the Nurse says, "She lends as deaf an ear to her friend's warning as if she were a rock or ocean billow." This comparison draws a distinct image of Medea for the audience. The nurse continues, "She will not cease from her fury till she have pounced on some victim."Tis as I said, my dear children; wild fancies stir your mother's heart, wild fury goads her on. Into the house without delay, come not near her eye, approach her not, beware her savage mood, the fell tempest of her reckless heart. In, in with what speed ye may. For 'tis plain she will soon redouble her fury; that cry is but the herald of the gathering storm-cloud whose lightning soon will flash; what will her proud restless soul, in the anguish of despair, be guilty of?” The language used by the chorus reinforces many of the assertions made by the nurse. Throughout the play, the chorus uses words such as fierce, fury, and wrath when reffering to Medea. The development of Medea is furthered by Creon, who uses the words “cunning woman” to describe her.
While all of the language used to describe Medea greatly defines her character, it also highlights Jason’s tragic flaw. While the nurse uses words like “lioness” to describe Medea, Jason talks about “how unruly a pest” her harsh nature is. He also comments that she could not control her “silly rage.” This use of language by Jason greatly clashes with the rest of the characters in the play. While the other characters are truly worried about how Medea will react to Jason’s abandonment of her, Jason’s language suggests that she is not a threat to him at all. This is a direct indicator of Jason’s tragic flaw, which is to be misled by his own desires and wishes. Jason, now royalty, cannot be bothered by his past wife’s objection to the path he has set aside for himself.
It is noted that Creon does not use the common jargon that the other characters use. Creon’s speech establishes a different rhythm because he does not use any words that are broken up such as
-mean’st
-o’er
-o’erreach
-e’en
-o’ercome
Broken up words are used by characters such as the nurse, Medea, the Chorus, Jason, and the messenger.