Betrayal and Revenge in 'Medea'

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how betrayal always begins with a relationship of trust. The paper explains how the person who becomes the victim initially trusts the person who does the betraying. The paper uses this explanation of betrayal to understand the position of the Greek mythical legend, Medea, a woman who is exceptionally intelligent and also very angry.

From the Paper:

"At first, Medea reacts to Jason's betrayal with extreme grief and even suicidal thoughts: "That lightening from heaven would split my head open. Oh, what use have I now for life? I would find my release in death and leave hateful existence behind me" (747:142-145). What begins as a terrible and unexpected blow producing pain and grief then progresses to murderous rage and a burning desire for revenge. As the children's nurse describes it, "...now there's hatred everywhere. Love is diseased" (744:16).Because Medea lives in a patriarchal culture where women have no rights, she cannot fight back openly (as a woman might do in Court today, for instance). Instead, she has to scheme and manipulate. The nurse describes her nature as full of "wildness," with a "bitter nature," and "proud hearted" (746:103-104). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Euripides. "Medea." The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Maynard Mack. NewYork: W. S. Norton & Company, 1985.

More papers on Betrayal and Revenge in 'Medea':

• Analytical Essay # 73699 : "Sorrow And Violence"
• Analytical Essay # 45908 : "Medea"
• Comparison Essay # 119390 : "Themes of Revenge in "Hamlet" and "Medea"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: