Author: adam ferguson

Much like the Nurse, the tutor (or attendant) would be considered a servant or slave of the family. Because of his lack of traits and the generic label he would be classified as a stock character. He simply serves as a means to relay information that has happened offstage. In the beginning he tells the Nurse about the "gossip" which he heard about Medea being exiled by Creon. Later he relays the information to Medea that her sons have been spared from exile and questions her actions to the news. The stories of the tutor set the plot in motion. His first account foreshadows Medea's exile while the second one causes Medea to go through with her scheme of causing Jason suffering by Killing the princess, Creon, and their two sons.

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.

Jason –

Greek Name meaning "Healer."

Jason is a legendary Greek hero who led the Argonauts.  He sailed to Colchis in order to seize the Golden Fleece.  It was said that the one to retrieve the Golden Fleece would have to power to overthrow a usurper.   In Medea Jason leaves his wife Medea for the Princess.  He only reveals that he on left Medea in order to establish security for his family in the long run.  By doing so this makes Jason the usurper or the one who wrongfully seizes power. 

A Jason is also mentioned in the Biblical books of Acts and Romans, his house is used a refuge by Paul and Silas.

In Medea Jason is a very peculiar character.  Because of his varying behavior and backwards ways of thinking I would place him in the Aristotelian category of Unique.  I would also see him as the foil or the character who takes the brunt of the plot.  Much of the plot is happening to him directly or indirectly.  The death of the Princess, Creon, and his two sons all seem to directly affect him in a negative manner. He tries to play both Medea and the Royal family at the same time.  Each time he speaks to Medea he has a different agenda and tone with her.  Before the play even begins he has already left Medea for the Princess and basically abandoned his two sons.  Once she is told she will be exile, Jason comes to her basically so say "I told you so" but at the same instance offers her help.  He then comes at her request and tells Medea he only left her for the Princess in order to secure the well being of his family in the long run.  This idea to help your family by hurting them is very strange and almost mirrors Medea actions of killing their children in order to obtain revenge on Jason.  Jason comes to Medea in panic after the murder of his new wife and her father.  However, even knowing Medea's wickedness and unstable state of mind, Jason is more concerned to protect his sons from the wrath of the Royal Family then from their own mother.    

(MORE TO COME €¦ I can't keep my eyes open at the moment)