Is Medea a wife only, or also a mother?

Answer

Is Medea a wife only, or also a mother? Discuss. [NU:  2014] 

In “Medea” (431 BCE), Euripides (c. 480–406 BCE) presents a woman torn between two strong roles. She is both a wife and a mother. As a wife, she is betrayed by Jason. As a mother, she suffers deep pain. Her actions show conflict between love and revenge.

Devoted Wife: Medea’s love for Jason is deep and strong. She helps him win the Golden Fleece. She leaves her father and her homeland for him. She even kills her brother to save Jason’s life. Her love shows loyalty and sacrifice. Medea’s world centers around Jason. When he betrays her, her heart breaks completely. She says, 

“We women are the most unfortunate.” 

Her words reflect her pain as a wife. Her love turns into hatred, and her wifehood becomes the reason for revenge.

Betrayed Woman: Jason’s betrayal changes Medea’s heart. He marries Glauce, the princess of Corinth, for power. Medea feels insulted and helpless. Her pain as a wife is stronger than her love as a mother. She cannot bear Jason’s unfaithfulness. She says, 

“I’m … dangerous to enemies, 

but well disposed to friends.” 

Her anger grows uncontrollable. She plans revenge not only on Jason but also on his new wife and her father. Her betrayal makes her lose peace, love, and self-control.

Cruel Mother: Medea loves her children but kills them with her own hands. She believes their death will punish Jason most. The Chorus says, 

“It’s a fearful thing for men

 to spill the blood of gods.” 

Medea’s heart breaks after killing them. Her motherhood dies under her burning anger. She cries and suffers, but she does not stop. She becomes both mother and murderer. Her act shows that revenge is stronger than love in her heart.

Thus, Medea is both a wife and a mother. But her pain as a