Euripides’ Medea
Student’s Guide | Classical Reference Library
Richer Resources Editorial Team
About This Guide
Euripides’ Medea tells the story of a woman who has been deeply betrayed and chooses a terrible revenge. The play asks difficult questions: Can someone have a just complaint and still act unjustly? How do exile and unequal power shape a person’s choices? This guide will help you follow the story and consider those questions.
Before You Read
Medea helped the hero Jason obtain the Golden Fleece. She left her homeland and family to be with him. Years later, they live in Corinth with their two sons. Jason now plans to marry the daughter of Creon, Corinth’s king. Medea is a foreigner with few protections. Euripides’ play was first performed in Athens in 431 BCE.
The Story at a Glance
Jason has abandoned Medea to marry the princess of Corinth. Creon, afraid Medea will seek revenge, orders her and her children to leave the city. Medea persuades him to allow one more day. Jason argues that his new marriage will help the family, but Medea rejects his excuses.
Medea meets Aegeus, king of Athens, who promises her a place of refuge. With an escape arranged, she pretends to forgive Jason. She sends their children to the princess carrying a beautiful robe and crown that are secretly poisoned. The princess dies, and Creon dies trying to save her.
Medea then faces her most terrible decision. Although she loves her sons, she kills them to make Jason suffer. She escapes in a chariot sent by her divine grandfather, Helios. Jason is left grieving, unable even to bury the children.
Meet the Characters
Medea — Jason’s former partner, a foreign woman in Corinth whose intelligence and anger drive the action.
Jason — The father of Medea’s children, who claims his new marriage is sensible.
Creon — King of Corinth, who orders Medea into exile.
Aegeus — King of Athens, who promises Medea protection.
The Nurse — A servant who fears for Medea and the children.
The Chorus — Women of Corinth who sympathize with Medea but oppose her violent plans.
The Messenger — A witness who describes the deaths caused by the poisoned gifts.
Important Themes
Betrayal and Revenge — Jason has wronged Medea, but her response causes far greater suffering.
Exile and Belonging — Medea has left her homeland and faces losing her new home.
Women and Power — Medea describes the limited choices available to women in marriage.
Persuasion and Deception — Characters use arguments, promises, and misleading words to get what they want.
Love and Responsibility — Medea’s love for her children conflicts with her determination to hurt Jason.
What to Notice as You Read
Pay attention to the Nurse’s warnings at the beginning. What do they lead you to expect?
Compare Medea’s arguments with Jason’s. What does each believe is fair?
Notice when the Chorus sympathizes with Medea and when it begins to object.
Think about why Medea needs Aegeus’s promise before carrying out her plan.
Look closely at Medea’s hesitation over her children. What does she understand about the consequences?
A Literary Feature: The Chorus
Greek tragedies often include a Chorus, a group whose songs and responses help the audience reflect on the action. In Medea, the Chorus consists of Corinthian women. They understand Medea’s pain and criticize Jason’s betrayal, but they are horrified by her decision to kill the children. Their changing responses remind us that sympathy for someone’s suffering does not mean approval of every action that person takes.
Questions to Think About
- Why is Medea angry with Jason?
- What makes her position in Corinth especially insecure?
- How does Jason justify marrying the princess?
- Why does Creon give Medea one more day?
- What does Aegeus promise Medea, and why does it matter?
- How does the Chorus react as Medea’s plans become clear?
- What makes the ending so troubling?
After You Finish
Choose a speech by Medea or Jason. Identify the speaker’s main claim and two details used to support it. Then explain what the speaker leaves out or fails to consider. End by describing how that omission affects your judgment of the character.
A Final Thought
Medea challenges us to separate understanding a person’s suffering from approving that person’s actions. The play offers no easy answer about justice or revenge. It asks us to think carefully about responsibility even when a character has been seriously wronged.
Note to the Reader
This guide accompanies the Richer Resources Publications edition of Euripides’ Medea, translated by Ian Johnston. A printable PDF version of this resource is available by email.
