Month: September 2008

The messenger lacks traits and a name which makes him a stock character.  His single purpose in the script , although very important to the plot, is to bring the information to Medea.  A messenger in those times, usually a slave, report some important event or piece of information that has happened indoors or away from the play's singular setting.  Euripides uses this messenger to bring the news of the princess and Creon's death.  He uses very descriptive and vivid details in order to portray the brutal happenings not seen by the audience and enable the messenger to bring the story to life.  The messenger's account of their deaths is very important to the overall plot and without it the story could turn out very different. 

The two sons are considered stock characters because they are labeled merely as "sons" instead of having individual names. The two appear several times throughout the play but only speak in the one scene where their mother, Medea, murders them. Although these characters do not speak extensively, they play a vital role in the play in that they represent the only thing pure and untainted until they are finally brutally murdered. Both are very innocent to the raging actions around them although Medea sees them as a reminder of their father and his infidelity.

Although at first glance Medea appears to be the protagonist at a closer look Jason better fits this role. Jason breaks oath to the Gods by promising fidelity to Medea but then not keeping his promise. He breaks his fidelity to Medea by leaving her for the Princess. In those days a man was allowed to "divorce" his wife by returning her to her father along with the dowry which was given at the time of the marriage. The woman is then allowed to be given away again to marry and the man does as he pleases. However, Jason simply leaves his wife but does not official rid himself of her. Throughout the text Medea and the Nurse still refer to Jason as her husband although they are not technically together. This not only upsets Medea and drives her to a crazed state of being but also the social "norm" of the times which in turn upsets the Gods. Jason is very self-centered and although he tells Medea he only left her and the children to secure their future. It seems as if he does what he needs to better him or the situation. He is very manipulative to people in order to get what he wants. However, he is very naïve to the fact of Medea's true power and craziness. Other characters, such as Creon, believe her to be utterly crazy and a threat to the Royal Family and therefore exile her. Creon even refers to Medea as a "cunning woman" and recognizes her true potential, while Jason sees her to be showing her emotions "as a woman should." In the end Jason realizes Medea's sincere disturbance and recognizes her as a powerful threat and undertaker.

Jason’s tragic flaw is is willingness to give in to his wants and fantasies.

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.”

Using Aristotelian analysis, Aegeus can be classified as a character who is “like us.” 

   When Aegeus comes across Medea, he is happy to see her, and tells her that he has just come from the oracle of Phoebus.  Aegeus and his wife wish to concieve a child, but have not been able to do so.  His want of a child directly appeals to the audience, for the majority of people, especially in Greek times, wish to have children.  Also, Aegeus comes across as a character easy to sympathize and familiarate with, for in Greek times, bearing children was no easy task.  The complications with childbirth still exist today.

       However, as Aegeus learns about Jason’s abandonment of Medea, he is disgusted at what has happened to her.  He truly sympathizes with her troubles and wishes to help. 

However, when given an opportunity to fully back Medea, Aegeus becomes a bit cautious.  Aegeus states”

Lady, on many grounds I am most fain to grant thee this thy boon, first for the gods’ sake, next for the children whom thou dost promise I shall beget; for in respect of this I am completely lost. ‘Tis thus with me; if e’er thou reach my land, I will attempt to champion thee as I am bound to do. Only one warning I do give thee first, lady; I will not from this land bear thee away, yet if of thyself thou reach my halls, there shalt thou bide in safety and I will never yield thee up to any man. But from this land escape without my aid, for I have no wish to incur the blame of my allies as well.

Like many people, Aegeus is fearful of the consequences of association.  If he leads Medea back to Athens, he will be seen as a staunch supporter of a woman with many enemies.  So instead, he tells Medea, that if she can reach Athens, he will give her a place to stay.  He is convinced by Medea to take an oath never to banish her from Athens. 

           Through his actions, Aegeus stands as a character “like us.”  He has good intentions and a sensible nature, but lacks the boldness that would be possessed by a “larger than life” character. 

Nurse(On Medea) 

“she lends as deaf an ear to her friend’s warning as if she were a rock or ocean billow“

“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?

This will I do; but I doubt whether I shall persuade my mistress; still willingly will I undertake this trouble for you; albeit, she glares upon her servants with the look of a lioness with cubs, whenso anyone draws nigh to speak to her.

Chorus(On Medea)

I heard the voice, uplifted loud, of our poor Colchian lady, nor yet is she quiet; speak, aged dame, for as I stood by the house with double gates I heard a voice of weeping from within, and I do grieve, lady

Would that she would come forth for us to see, and listen to the words of counsel we might give, if haply she might lay aside the fierce fury of her wrath, and her temper stern.

I heard a bitter cry of lamentation! loudly, bitterly she calls on the traitor of her marriage bed

Creon

Hark thee, Medea, I bid thee take those sullen looks and angry thoughts against thy husband forth from this land in exile,

thou art a witch by nature, expert in countless sorceries, and thou art chafing for the loss of thy husband’s affection. I hear, too, so they tell me, that thou dost threaten the father of the bride, her husband, and herself with some mischief.

Thy words are soft to hear, but much I dread lest thou art devising some mischief in thy heart, and less than ever do I trust thee now; for cunning woman, and man likewise, is easier to guard against when quick-tempered than when taciturn.

Begone, thou silly woman, and free me from my toil.

Jason(On Medea)

At least I call the gods to witness, that I am ready in all things to serve thee and thy children, but thou dost scorn my favours and thrustest thy friends stubbornly away; wherefore thy lot will be more bitter still.

Using Aristotelian analysis, the nurse can be identified as a stock character. 

              Being bound in service to Medea, the nurse exemplifies the assumed role of a servant in Greek times.  She states, "our masters’ fortunes when they go awry make good slaves grieve and touch their hearts."  As the Nurse recounts on Medea's previous history, she makes it clear that she knows Medea very well.  She also makes it clear that she knows what Medea is capable of, and has a pretty good idea of what is about to happen.  However, although she knows that it Is very likely that Medea will commit violent acts, she can find no fault in her master.  She states "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?" 

                While the chorus expresses sympathy for Medea, they  object when Medea wishes to slay her own children.   The chorus wishes that Medea would not commit the act.  However, the nurse, knowledgable of what Medea will probably do, states "and I much do dread that she will plunge the keen sword through their hearts."  It is important to remember that while she finds no comfort in the acts Medea will commit, she also finds no fault in Medea.  This is because as a faithful servant, Medea cannot do so.  All of the Nurse's assertions are that of sympathy. 

                When the chorus asks the nurse to try to convince Medea to accept the council they offer, the Nurse states "This will I do; but I doubt whether I shall persuade my mistress."  While the nurse offers that the reason for this might be a refusal to listen to anyone due to her anguish, there is another inference that can be made here.  Because the nurse is seen as lower than Medea, her advice bears no validity to Medea, who is of a higher power than she. *Few edits to be made, more points to come