Gender Roles in Medea by Euripides Essay - 1285 Words

Centuries of traditions has enabled men and women to define gender roles in society. Although some critics declare gender roles do not exist today, others believe they do. In society, men and women are defined by gender roles throughout their activities and emotions. A doctor is typically portrayed by a male while women rear the children and cook for the men. However, although still in existence, today these roles are less obvious but tend to have similar meaning when compared to the past. In ancient Greece, women suffered great hardships. Currently, females work, vote, and run for office. In comparison to ancient Greece, these activities are a phenomenal leap from being under the direct supervision of a male husband. In Greek†¦show more content†¦In the beginning of the play, the nurse discusses the horrible deeds Medea delivers to her own family in the following lines â€Å"my mistress Medea would not have sailed for the towers of the land of Iolcus, her heart on fire with passionate love for Jason; nor would she have persuaded the daughters of Pelias to kill their father, and now be living here in Corinth with her husband and children† (1). Ironically, before Jason leaves Medea, he needs her help in a great mission. By admitting that he needs her help, Jason falls short of the idea that a man is in control of the situation. Although Medea, like many women, gives up her family, home, and body for her marriage. Medea feels that â€Å"of all things we women are the most unfortunate creatures,† (8) and further discusses the difficulties and unjust situations women face such as â€Å"for there is not easy escape for a woman, nor can she say no to her marriage† (8) and how men do not use the same rules. For example, Medea feels that â€Å"what applies to me does not apply to you† (9). She seems envious of the freedom men possess. Further on, Medea talks about the rules of marriage, about how women have no choice in their own marriage, but if â€Å"the husband lives with us and lightly bears his yoke, then life is enviable† (9). According to Medea, the only important thing in a woman’s life is marriage and children, and if womenShow MoreRelatedAs A Society, We Are Being Continuously Taught Not To Stray1506 Words   |  7 Pagesstereotypical gender roles that existed. Throughout Euripides’ Medea, the audience and readers are shown the consequences that said gender roles create. They are a part of history that may never be overcome, as developed in the play. Gender roles may never be overcome in society, nevertheless it is important to remember that they do not define a person, let alone decide their fortune. Equality should not be perceived as an opinion, but as a right. By performing a feminist reading of Medea, it is evidentRead MoreWomen s Role Model Of Women1373 Words   |  6 Pageswomen had a very limited social power and no political power at all. In Euripides, Medea, the protagonist is more than just the main character. She has become an ageless figure of feminine revolution. Although, we should recognize that Euripides doesn’t give the perfect role model of a woman, he just shows the complications that women have. He gives us real women, who have suffered and become twisted by their suffering. Medea serves as a model for the women betrayed, to the sacrifices of personalRead MoreMedea - the Abandonment of Gender Roles Essay823 Words   |  4 PagesIn Euripides Medea, the protagonist abandoned the gender roles of ancient Greek society. Medea defied perceptions of gender by exhibiting both male and female tendencies. She was able to detach herself from her womanly emotions at times and perform acts that society did not see women capabl e of doing. However, Medea did not fully abandon her role as a woman and did express many female emotions throughout the play. br brIn ancient Greek society, murder was not commonly associated with womenRead MoreAn Analysis of the Play Medea by Euripides1410 Words   |  6 PagesThe notion of the ideal man presented in the play Medea, by Euripides, is an exceptionally important one in the context of 5th Century Athens, a culture based very much upon the importance of the man both in his household and the general society. In Greece during the time of the play, the ideal man showed strong attributes of physical skill and aesthetics, intelligence and wisdom, and courage and bravery, especially in the face of adversity. This representation is shown in many ways throughout theRead MoreMedea the Feminist Essay1328 Words   |  6 PagesThe role of women in Greek society is a major theme in Euripides’ Medea. In ancient Greek society, women are frail and submissive according to men , and their social status is considered very inferior. Feminism is the theory of men being treated differently than women and the male dominance over women in society. Because of Jason’s betrayal of Medea, she is a challenge to the traditional views of ancient Greek society based on her actions. She wonders about the differences between the treatmentRead MoreEssay on Feminism and its Role in Medea1048 Words   |  5 PagesIn Medea, by Euripides, conflicts play a major role in the creation of the play. Some examples of these conflicts are with Medea and Jason, Medea and herself, and Medea and Creon. Medea is shown to be a strong, independent woman who does what she wants as well as doesn’t let anything stand in her way. She shares qualities of a traditional male at the time, and the qualities of a traditional female. Euripides makes this clear in the play by creating conflicts to prove women can be a powerful characterRead MoreThe Role Of Women Throughout The Play A Major Theme 1510 Words   |  7 PagesThe role of women within the plays of Euripides in a major theme. In most of the plays women are seen as week and unable to fend for themselves. It is plausible to say that Euripides would identify as the modern term of a feminist. These women depicted have unequal status to men and are submissive. In the case of Medea, these stereotypical roles of women are challenged. Because Jason betrays Medea, she begins wandering about the different treatment of man and woman. Medea ignores these roles thatRead MoreThe Utilization Of Ancient Greek Values1513 Words   |  7 PagesAncient Greek values through the use of characters in Medea Throughout the play Medea written Euripides, an assortment of unique characters are presented to the audience. At first glance, the characters in the play seem to serve as the normal society in Ancient Greece. This is true to a certain degree but Euripides intended it to be more than their standard social roles. Euripides utilizes characters such as the all women choir, King Creon, Medea and others to convey his perception of what is his modernRead MoreThematic Antithesis in Greek Tragedies Essay1358 Words   |  6 PagesThe binary oppositions in Euripides plays, Medea and Bacchae, emphasize the structural techniques seen throughout both of the plays works are â€Å"[described as] a pair of theoretical opposites or thematic contrasts† (Marvin 1). The themes are highly symmetrical throughout and typical of the structure of Greek tragedies. Euripides use of thematic antithesis gives greater irony within Greek plays. The gender roles of female and male challenge the traditiona l stereotypical roles as observed in Greek societyRead MoreRelationships in Greek Mythology728 Words   |  3 Pagesher husband. She tries to be a good wife but shows no affection towards her husband. This kind of relationship shows that Iago would not have told her about his plans. The relationship between Iago and Emilia is also a superb example of power in gender roles as they were prescribed by the Renascence society. Iago, the masculine being in the relationship has the power to describe, define and ultimately destroy Emilia; the feminine persona. The definition of women as subservient to men is exemplified