Medea by Euripides (431)
The play revolves around Medea, a sorceress who seeks revenge against her husband Jason for abandoning her and marrying Glauce, the daughter of King Creon. Medea's love for Jason has been unrequited since he abandoned her to pursue his own interests. She had helped him achieve his goals by killing her brother Apsyrtus and providing magical assistance in various situations. Jason is now seeking Medea's help again, but she refuses, citing the wrongs he has committed against her. Instead, she decides to exact revenge on Jason and Glauce by sending a poisoned dress to Glauce as a wedding gift. The play explores themes of love, betrayal, and the destructive nature of unchecked emotions.
By Euripides · First published 431 · Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Classical Literature · 15,901 words
First lines
This famous tragedy was first produced in 431 BC and the plot centres upon the barbarian protagonist and the revenge she takes against her husband Jason, who has abandoned her for another woman. Euripides produced Medea along with the lost plays Philoctetes, Dictys and the satyr play Theristai, earning him last place at the City Dionysia festival for that year. All of the other plays are now lost.
What this Textopian page supports
Medea is listed on Textopian as a play by Euripides, dated 431 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Euripides
- Date: 431 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Drama, Classical Literature, Mythology, Feminist Literature
- Length: 15,901 words
- Structure: 1 section, 255 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Medea by Euripides
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Medea?
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Similar titles
- Helen by Euripides
- Electra by Euripides
- Iphigenia At Aulis by Euripides
- Orestes by Euripides
- Philoctetes by Sophocles
- Phoenician Women by Euripides
Genres
- Tragedy — The work explores profound themes of betrayal, revenge, and the consequences of passion, characteristic of tragic narratives.
- Drama — The intense emotional conflicts and character-driven plot align with the conventions of dramatic literature.
- Classical Literature — It is a significant work within the canon of ancient Greek literature, reflecting the cultural and philosophical ideas of its time.
- Mythology — The narrative is rooted in mythological elements, drawing on the story of a legendary figure from Greek mythology.
Tags
Tragedy · Greek Drama · Ancient Greek Literature · Mythology · Family Conflict · Jealousy · Betrayal · Revenge Tragedy · Female Protagonist · Motherhood · Love Triangle · Hubris