Euripides’s ancient Greek tragedy Medea renowned itself as a play that truly dwells into the depths of human actions and psychology. It provides the reader with an insight into the lustful and often abusive nature of men as well as the hardships faced by women during those times. Ultimately, both the adaptation of Medea by Robinson Jeffers and the translation by Diane Svarlien revolve around a central theme: Jason abandons Medea for another woman. After being abandoned, Medea seeks what she believes to be a necessary comeuppance. Although the theme of each play remains the same, the characters themselves are depicted entirely different. The differences between the characters, especially Medea and Jason, provide the audience with a new and refreshing
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At the start of the play, he provides the audience with an understanding of events that had occurred previously. The audience learns that Medea murdered her brother, betrayed her father, and persuaded two children to murder their father all for the love of Jason. Clearly, Jason stands as a major priority in Medea’s life. Conflict inevitably arises as Jason “cast(s) Medea like a harlot”, leaving her “broken with pain and rage” (Jeffers, 10). Jason’s decision to leave Medea for a younger and more powerful woman leaves Medea enraged. She views herself as a victim of injustice, but refuses to accept pity from others. Harmed by the loss of her husband, she becomes motivated solely by hatred and revenge. Her obligation in life becomes destroying Jason. From the first time Medea speaks, the audience learns that death had become her wish “for [her]self, [her] enemies, [her] children” (Jeffers, 13). She claims that her children will be going to “a darker city, where no games are played, no music is heard” (Jeffers, 58). Robinson Jeffers’s adaptation clearly attempts to depict Medea’s evil and malicious nature; he leaves the audience feeling unremorseful towards Medea, a mother capable of murdering her own children. By the end of the play, Medea’s aspiration of vengeance becomes fulfilled as she murders Jason’s new wife, the king, and their own …show more content…
Jason takes advantage of this opportunity by attempting to bring his reputation out of the wrong through proving his compassion and “motive [being] the best” (Svarlien, 759). Jason’s compassionate nature first becomes apparent as he offers Medea money to help her through her hardships. He then argues that he “acted wisely and with restraint, and with the greatest love toward [Medea] and toward [their] children” (Svarlien, 759). Unlike Medea’s, Jason’s defense stands as rational and reasonable. His greatest claim appears to be that he sought what would be best for the children. He did what he had to do in order to provide them with a civilized life instead of a “barbarian land” (Svarlien, 759). In this civilized land, they have the opportunity to be “blessed with fortune” and status (Svarlien, 760). Jason’s defense proves himself to be unselfish; everything he does betters the lives of his
At the start of the play, he provides the audience with an understanding of events that had occurred previously. The audience learns that Medea murdered her brother, betrayed her father, and persuaded two children to murder their father all for the love of Jason. Clearly, Jason stands as a major priority in Medea’s life. Conflict inevitably arises as Jason “cast(s) Medea like a harlot”, leaving her “broken with pain and rage” (Jeffers, 10). Jason’s decision to leave Medea for a younger and more powerful woman leaves Medea enraged. She views herself as a victim of injustice, but refuses to accept pity from others. Harmed by the loss of her husband, she becomes motivated solely by hatred and revenge. Her obligation in life becomes destroying Jason. From the first time Medea speaks, the audience learns that death had become her wish “for [her]self, [her] enemies, [her] children” (Jeffers, 13). She claims that her children will be going to “a darker city, where no games are played, no music is heard” (Jeffers, 58). Robinson Jeffers’s adaptation clearly attempts to depict Medea’s evil and malicious nature; he leaves the audience feeling unremorseful towards Medea, a mother capable of murdering her own children. By the end of the play, Medea’s aspiration of vengeance becomes fulfilled as she murders Jason’s new wife, the king, and their own …show more content…
Jason takes advantage of this opportunity by attempting to bring his reputation out of the wrong through proving his compassion and “motive [being] the best” (Svarlien, 759). Jason’s compassionate nature first becomes apparent as he offers Medea money to help her through her hardships. He then argues that he “acted wisely and with restraint, and with the greatest love toward [Medea] and toward [their] children” (Svarlien, 759). Unlike Medea’s, Jason’s defense stands as rational and reasonable. His greatest claim appears to be that he sought what would be best for the children. He did what he had to do in order to provide them with a civilized life instead of a “barbarian land” (Svarlien, 759). In this civilized land, they have the opportunity to be “blessed with fortune” and status (Svarlien, 760). Jason’s defense proves himself to be unselfish; everything he does betters the lives of his