In Euripides’ play Medea the stereotypical ideology of femininity and roles of women back in ancient culture are challenged and closely examined. Medea, in retaliation to her husband’s terrible deeds, speaks to the women of Corinth, the chorus, in lines 231-246 of the purpose of women in society and expresses her feelings about the roles of being a woman. Euripides utilizes Medea throughout the play to showcase the true power of women and how they should not be deceived or looked down upon. Women have a far greater purpose than many people seemed to realize and by utilizing the character of Medea, whose personality and attitude contrast to those of a stereotypical woman, Euripides is able to showcase how they are not as frail and disposable as men thought.
Medea begins her passionate speech to the chorus with a comparison between the statuses of men and women, preaching, “of all the living creatures with a soul and mind, - we women are the most pathetic (231-232).” Women are not compared to just human beings or the opposite gender but to any living creature with a soul and mind. This comparison made by Euripides really sets off Medea’s entire speech about women and is a great representation of the true social standing of women …show more content…
When rescuing Jason, she does not even realize the unintentional game of roulette she is playing with her life. Medea describes the stakes of this game which begins after paying the dowry; “the stakes could not be higher: will you get a decent husband, or a bad one (236-237)?” In doing all of this a woman does not even know the result she will receive from her payment. The unjustness continues with Medea stating that if a woman leaves her husband, her virtuous reputation goes with him so refusing him is not
Medea begins her passionate speech to the chorus with a comparison between the statuses of men and women, preaching, “of all the living creatures with a soul and mind, - we women are the most pathetic (231-232).” Women are not compared to just human beings or the opposite gender but to any living creature with a soul and mind. This comparison made by Euripides really sets off Medea’s entire speech about women and is a great representation of the true social standing of women …show more content…
When rescuing Jason, she does not even realize the unintentional game of roulette she is playing with her life. Medea describes the stakes of this game which begins after paying the dowry; “the stakes could not be higher: will you get a decent husband, or a bad one (236-237)?” In doing all of this a woman does not even know the result she will receive from her payment. The unjustness continues with Medea stating that if a woman leaves her husband, her virtuous reputation goes with him so refusing him is not