Before, During, and After Euripides’ Medea Jason and Medea Before, During, and After Euripides’ Medea

Not long before Jason was born, a greedy uncle named Pelias seized the throne from Jason's father, throwing the good king in jail.

When the king's wife gave birth to Jason – the rightful heir to the throne – she worried that Pelias might kill him and decided to hide the baby.

Pretending that Jason had died, she sent him far from Iolcus to live with a loyal centaur named Chiron. Chiron cared for and tutored Jason. Jason grew strong and smart.

And when Jason was full grown, he went back to Iolcus to confront his uncle.

Pelias in fear of being overthrown, consults an oracle that warns to “beware of a man with one sandal.” Meanwhile, Jason returning to Iolcus helps an old woman (Hera in disguise) cross a river. In the process, he loses a sandal. Upon arriving in Iolcus, he is announced as a man with one sandal and he demands his right to the throne.

To Jason's surprise, Uncle Pelias agreed to give up the kingdom if Jason would do just one little thing: capture a golden fleece – the skin of a magical ram – from the Kingdom of Colchis, a land at the very farthest reaches of the known world.

Impossible? Maybe. But buoyed by youthful confidence and the spirit of adventure, Jason accepted the challenge.

Pelias was sure that Jason would never return to Iolcus alive Pelias was sure that Jason would never return to Iolcus alive. But Jason knew that with perseverance, a team of talented helpers, the best tools and equipment, and a bit of good fortune (or help from some friendly Greek gods), the impossible might just be possible.

So Jason sent out a call to anyone game for adventure, and the bravest and most talented men and women in all of Greece 83 in all including: Hercules Theseus Orpheus Castor and Pollux Nestor Jason Medea

Together they sailed off in a mighty ship called the Argo, the biggest and best boat the Greeks had ever sailed.

The crew members were called Argonauts, in honor of the boat.

They sailed to the ends of the known world to reach the Kingdom of Colchis.

On their long journey, Jason and the Argonauts made many discoveries and faced many dangers.

Jason and the Argonauts had to do battle with the dreaded Hydra in their quest for the magical Golden Fleece.

Hera, angry at Pelias for his deceit against Jason, convinces her sister Aphrodite to tell her son, Eros (Cupid in Roman Myths), to make Medea fall in love with Jason and help in in any way possible. Medea’s father, Aeetes, is the possessor of the Golden Fleece.

They arrived at the kingdom where the golden fleece was They arrived at the kingdom where the golden fleece was. The king did not want to give up the fleece. So he thought of impossible tasks for the Argonauts to perform. First Jason had to tame the Khalkotauroi (fire breathing bulls) and sow the fields with it. Medea gave him a potion to protect him from the fire.

Next, Jason had to sow the field with dragon’s teeth Next, Jason had to sow the field with dragon’s teeth. These teeth turned into an army of skeletons. Medea told Jason to throw a rock into the crowd of soldiers. Unable to figure out where the rock came from, the soldiers attacked each other .

Lastly, with the help of one of Medea’s potions, Jason defeated the dragon guarding the fleece. After many adventures and all-but-impossible feats, they did (with much help from Medea) capture the golden fleece.

Medea: Character Profile Niece of Circe, Daughter of Aeetes Granddaughter of sun god Helios Woman of great passion Sorceress Priestess of Hecate, Goddess of Underworld

Promises Made Promises Kept Medea will help Jason get Fleece Jason will marry Medea Promises Kept Medea murders own brother to slow father’s pursuit of Jason Jason marries Medea They go to Iolcus

Medea’s Role Jason had to harness fire-breathing bulls, plow a field, sow a field with dragon’s teeth, and when supernatural warriors were born (as from the teeth Cadmus sowed in Thebes), he had to defeat them. Medea gave him ointment to protect and strengthen him. Medea, practiced in magic (witchcraft), gave Jason knowledge and weapons (potions) to defeat the dragon.

The Argonauts Flee Jason seizes the golden fleece (again, with Athena supervising). Jason leaves with Medea, and Aeetes pursues him Aeetes goes back on his word. Medea helps the Argonauts escape with the fleece, and goes with them. Medea’s kills her younger brother and throws his limbs over the side so Aeetes has to stop to pick them up.

Pelias’ Death Jason and Medea returned to Iolcus, where Pelias had vowed to return the kingdom to Jason. Now he refused. Medea used her magic to rejuvenate a ram by cutting him up and boiling him with herbs in a cauldron. She told Pelias’daughters that they could rejuvenate their father the same way.

Pelias’ Death They cut him up and cooked him, but all they got was soup. Jason and Medea were tainted with miasma (Zeus called it “blood pollution”) and were driven out of Iolcus. They fled to Corinth.

As the Play Begins Once in Corinth Jason, having had his reputation ruined, tries to distance himself from Medea in Corinth Jason leaves Medea and becomes engaged to Glauce (Creusa), daughter of King Creon Humililated, Medea vows revenge

Meet Medea! “We woman are the unhappiest species…”   We must pay a great dowry to a husband who will be a tyrant of our bodies We have no choice upon receiving a “good” or “bad” man Divorce (renouncing) a husband is impossible A woman needs “second sight” to know how to handle her bedmate If we have a husband who does not find the yoke of intercourse too galling, ours is a life to be envied. Otherwise, one is better dead. Men can have several “companions”; women have none On childbirth  I had rather fight three battles (wars) than bear one child

After the Play J dies alone, in obscurity M marries, has son with Aegeus Tries to poison Aegeus’ first son Theseus (fails; is banished) Goes back to Colchis, helps father get kingdom back Eventually becomes immortal J dies alone, in obscurity Piece of his own ship falls on him

Things to Consider Who would the ancient Greeks blame for the tragedy? Who do you blame? What is Euripides’ opinion of women? What relevance does this story have for modern readers?