Sofia Petros-Gouin
Period 7
Gender Identities Across Literary Movements
Mrs. Martling
Medea and Clytemnestra Comparison Paper
Due Monday October 13, 2014
Women have historically been characterized by society in accordance with their emotional reactions; Clytemnestra and Medea, of Aeschylus' Agamemnon and Euripides' Medea respectively, are no exception to this trend. Ancient Greek societal norms understood it was plain that in the face of challenges, men react with logic and reason while their female counterparts, with their hysterical nature, are incapable of metered reactions and thus handle situations with unwarranted severity. These attitudes, understandably, made themselves apparent in the literature. To remedy situations in which …show more content…
This open discourse makes Medea far more than a vengeful woman, but rather a dimensional individual, constrained by her feelings of powerlessness and doing what she can to remedy her pitiful situation. However, pity is the last thing Medea wants. Rather she is eager to demonstrate her equality to men, which she does by killing her children. Early on in the play, Medea addresses the chorus saying, “Of all things that have life and sense we women are the most hapless creatures”, further underscoring her knowledge of the fact that in order to receive seize power she must adopt masculine qualities. (Medea, Euripides) In addition, Euripides is expressing the notion that Greek women take their societal position for granted when they should not, Medea being the chief offender. Jason continually reminds Medea that she has “a home in Hellas instead of some barbarian land”. (Medea, Euripides) To Jason, this should be enough to earn his wife’s contentment. Through the character of Jason, Euripides is suggesting that women need not reject their societal status if they have a strong oikos. Jason further acknowledges this when he tells Medea, “You women are all the same. If your love life goes alright, everything is fine; but once crossed in bed, the liveliest and best that life can offer might as well be wormwood”. (Medea, Euripides) Thusly, it is seen as an overreaction on behalf of Medea to send the princess the poison cloak that will kill her, as Jason vows to continue supporting Medea and her sons throughout his new
Period 7
Gender Identities Across Literary Movements
Mrs. Martling
Medea and Clytemnestra Comparison Paper
Due Monday October 13, 2014
Women have historically been characterized by society in accordance with their emotional reactions; Clytemnestra and Medea, of Aeschylus' Agamemnon and Euripides' Medea respectively, are no exception to this trend. Ancient Greek societal norms understood it was plain that in the face of challenges, men react with logic and reason while their female counterparts, with their hysterical nature, are incapable of metered reactions and thus handle situations with unwarranted severity. These attitudes, understandably, made themselves apparent in the literature. To remedy situations in which …show more content…
This open discourse makes Medea far more than a vengeful woman, but rather a dimensional individual, constrained by her feelings of powerlessness and doing what she can to remedy her pitiful situation. However, pity is the last thing Medea wants. Rather she is eager to demonstrate her equality to men, which she does by killing her children. Early on in the play, Medea addresses the chorus saying, “Of all things that have life and sense we women are the most hapless creatures”, further underscoring her knowledge of the fact that in order to receive seize power she must adopt masculine qualities. (Medea, Euripides) In addition, Euripides is expressing the notion that Greek women take their societal position for granted when they should not, Medea being the chief offender. Jason continually reminds Medea that she has “a home in Hellas instead of some barbarian land”. (Medea, Euripides) To Jason, this should be enough to earn his wife’s contentment. Through the character of Jason, Euripides is suggesting that women need not reject their societal status if they have a strong oikos. Jason further acknowledges this when he tells Medea, “You women are all the same. If your love life goes alright, everything is fine; but once crossed in bed, the liveliest and best that life can offer might as well be wormwood”. (Medea, Euripides) Thusly, it is seen as an overreaction on behalf of Medea to send the princess the poison cloak that will kill her, as Jason vows to continue supporting Medea and her sons throughout his new