Comparison Of Xenophobia In Euripides's Medea

In the Greek culture, there existed a huge gap between the Greek and non-Greeks. The non-Greeks were the people who were viewed as different in relation to what was considered as Greek. The difference in outlook was predicated by the fact that they were not born in Greece or just unknown to many (Mackay and Allan 61). As a result, non-Greek people were regarded as just the “others”. In Greece during the Euripides times, there was generally a component of xenophobia or a dread of individuals from different cultures and nations. Additionally, this elicited a preconceived conviction by the Greek that any individual who did not come from Greece was in fact barbaric. Xenophobia in the play Medea is connected to the way the main characters view love. …show more content…
The xenophobia can be clearly seen through the way Jason, Medea’s husband, treats her and the way Corinthian king, Creon, behaves towards her. Throughout the play, Medea is constantly reminded of the fact that she is not a native of Corinth and consequently is one of the "others” who are regarded as uncivilized and barbaric. This is illustrated when Medea’s husband states, “Allow me; in the first place, to point out that you left a barbarous land to become a resident of Hellas” (Euripides 33). It is at this moment that Jason is reminding Medea that she, in fact, is not a Greek native and that she has migrated to a civilized society from a more primitive civilization. Arguably, Jason might not strongly be xenophobic in essence by uttering this; however, he states that she is preferably better off staying and living in Corinth than she would be anywhere else, even in her own home. Naturally, this reasoning makes it appear as though Jason is stating that the Greeks are superior to her kin, that they are acculturated, and that they have a law whereas her kin are ungovernable and …show more content…
Jason betrays Medea by disavowing his marriage to her in order to wed Glauce, the daughter of Creon, the ruler of Corinth. He does this despite the huge personal sacrifices that Medea has done for him. It appears that his actions are dictated by exclusive wish to further his political position in Corinth. In other words, Medea is seen as an obstacle to him as she is a non-native who is not promptly acknowledged by the Corinthians; thus, he has unfeelingly set her aside (Holland 409). As a matter of fact, he never truly adored Medea. For her husband, Medea made big sacrifices to include abandoning her nation and her family, and helping him all in the name of love. However, her husband is unable to understand her devotion. Jason’s dismissal of Medea not only leaves her distraught, but bitter and angry as well. Besides, this shows the difference that exists between Medea and Jason. Medea’s view on love is of total commitment and sacrifice. Jason, on the other hand, exudes superiority while consciously disregarding his