Zeus Role In Medea

Zeus, the god and father of immortals and man, is connected to almost all ancient Greek literature. Through either self-intervention or the intervention of his bloodline, he is present in some sense in the conflicts and resolutions inflicted on man. He is a figure that all characters can look to in times of tragedy, prosperity, or misguidance. The nature of Zeus is often conveyed through a judiciary sense. In the Greek Tragedies Women of Trachis, Medea, & Hippolytus, Zeus partakes in the imposition of justice that is presented and is observed to be the determiner of fate for some of the characters in the plays.
In the Women of Trachis, Zeus is more than just a deity to the characters. Rather, he is the parent to the heroic Heracles and is therefore closely tied to the story by blood. In the play, it is implied, in line 140, that Zeus protects young Heracles on his journeys and assures the safety of his beloved son on his journeys. His protection only goes so far, however, and comes to a close when it is discovered that Heracles has done wrong to his wife, Deianira. Zeus’s presence isn’t solely due to his relationship with his son, however. Throughout the play, many …show more content…
Zeus is even referred to as “the protector of oaths binding on humans” (170-171) which gives insight into the pending infliction of justice on Jason. The simple concept of a man reaping the consequences of his behavior is carried out by Medea herself in the play. Zeus is not directly intervening at any point in the play but his nature of justice is still conveyed through the play’s eponym, Medea. In lines 1415-1419 it becomes apparent that although Medea is portrayed to be acting alone, Zeus was ultimately behind the decision to ensue turmoil against Jason and his