After reading Euripides’ Medea and Homers’ Odyssey, it becomes clear that in both tragedies Odysseus and Medea have different story lines and many plot differences. However, there is one theme that plays a major key role throughout both tragedies. When comparing both Greek tragedies, revenge plays a major role in showing us the many ways ancient Greek literature was demonstrated. Revenge was seen through some points in Odysseus’ journey where he was faced with struggles in order to return home, whereas Medea compared to The Odyssey, revenge was the main focus. Vengeance played a big part of Greek civilization and was seen several times throughout its literature. Both Homers the Odyssey and Euripides Medea, are major examples of works of literature
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Odysseus was on a long journey trying to make it back home to Ithaca. Throughout his long journey he was faced with struggles to return home and Poseidon delayed his return home by seeking revenge. “Night sprang from the heaven. East wind and South Wind clashed together, and the bitter blown West Wind and the North Wind born in the bright air rolled up a heavy sea.” (5.294-296) Poseidon brought on this storm and wind while Odysseus was out at sea, pushing Odysseus further from Ithaca, as well as drowning his men. “Poor man, why is Poseidon the shaker of the earth so bitterly cankered against you, to give you such a harvest of evils?” (5.339-340) Ino, the sea goddess tells this to Odysseus justifying the fact that Poseidon seeks …show more content…
Whereas in the Odyssey there was many different focuses throughout the play. However similarly they both share this major theme. Medea had one focus and that was to make her husband suffer for marrying someone else and leaving her. She does whatever it takes to make Jason suffer even if it meant risking her own life and killing the lives of her children. “I know indeed what evil I intend to do, but stronger than all my afterthoughts is my fury, fury that brings upon mortals the greatest evils.” (35) Medea could have just killed Jason, however for Medea that wasn’t good enough. She knew what she was doing, but because of her anger she wanted him to
Odysseus was on a long journey trying to make it back home to Ithaca. Throughout his long journey he was faced with struggles to return home and Poseidon delayed his return home by seeking revenge. “Night sprang from the heaven. East wind and South Wind clashed together, and the bitter blown West Wind and the North Wind born in the bright air rolled up a heavy sea.” (5.294-296) Poseidon brought on this storm and wind while Odysseus was out at sea, pushing Odysseus further from Ithaca, as well as drowning his men. “Poor man, why is Poseidon the shaker of the earth so bitterly cankered against you, to give you such a harvest of evils?” (5.339-340) Ino, the sea goddess tells this to Odysseus justifying the fact that Poseidon seeks …show more content…
Whereas in the Odyssey there was many different focuses throughout the play. However similarly they both share this major theme. Medea had one focus and that was to make her husband suffer for marrying someone else and leaving her. She does whatever it takes to make Jason suffer even if it meant risking her own life and killing the lives of her children. “I know indeed what evil I intend to do, but stronger than all my afterthoughts is my fury, fury that brings upon mortals the greatest evils.” (35) Medea could have just killed Jason, however for Medea that wasn’t good enough. She knew what she was doing, but because of her anger she wanted him to