Medea : Themes
Medea is a notable literary work by Euripides. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Medea.
Themes
Themes
Betrayal: At the heart of Medea lies the pain of betrayal. Jason once loved and married Medea, and with her help, he won the Golden Fleece. For Jason’s sake, Medea abandoned her family, her homeland, and even killed her own brother. Yet Jason, driven by the desire for power and royal prestige, marries Glauce, daughter of King Creon. This betrayal shatters Medea and sets her ablaze with the fire of vengeance. The betrayal is not only against a woman, but also against love, promises, and the sanctity of marriage itself.
Revenge: The driving force of the play is Medea’s thirst for revenge. To punish Jason’s betrayal, Medea devises a dreadful plan. First, she sends poisoned gifts that kill Glauce and Creon. But she does not stop there. To strike Jason with ultimate pain, she kills her own children. This act of vengeance transforms Medea into a terrifying figure, almost goddess-like in power. Euripides shows how revenge can push a human being beyond the limits of humanity into the realm of the inhuman.
Love: Medea’s love is intense and self-sacrificial from the very beginning. For Jason, she left Colchis, betrayed her family, and even murdered her brother. But that very love turns into hatred and vengeance. The relationship between Medea and Jason reveals how love can collapse under the weight of betrayal and greed. Euripides portrays love not only as a sweet emotion but also as a destructive force.
Exile: Exile is a significant theme in the play. Medea is a foreigner, and even in Corinth she remains an outsider. Creon, fearing her, orders her banishment. Medea knows she has no safe home as a foreign woman. Therefore, she secures a promise of refuge from Aegeus. Exile here represents both Medea’s vulnerability and the driving force behind her revenge. Her humiliation and isolation as an exile only harden her resolve.
Sorcery: Sorcery is inseparably tied to Medea’s character. As a descendant of Helios, she possesses magical powers. She helped Jason win the Golden Fleece through her sorcery. In the play, she again uses magic in her revenge—sending a poisoned robe and crown that kill Glauce. In the final scene, Medea’s departure in the chariot of Helios elevates her almost to the status of a goddess. Sorcery in the play is both a symbol of power and a source of fear.