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Marcos Gomez

Mrs. Cowley

AP English Literature and Composition 1

29 October 2018

Unconventional Definition

The great works of literature do not transcend through the ages by merely being well-

written, but through their ability to maintain relevancy in the thoughts of men. Greek tragedian

Euripides is no exception to the individuals who contribute to these works, in fact in its debut

his, “Medea”, was received with great praise as well as relevant criticism. Euripides’ “Medea”

challenges Aristotle’s definition of the tragedy, but though not truly apparent Euripides conforms

to the characteristics of the tragedy as well as classifies his protagonist, Medea, as a tragic hero

while redefining tragedies altogether.

“Medea” reflects the tragedy in a manner that is off to the left although, as it does not

derail from its predecessors entirely it is able to align itself with those characteristics essential to

them. Medea’s current situation is entirely turbulent, making apparent the disarray beyond her

own strife is the dismay of the world around her: “I [(Nurse)] wish the Argo had never set sail…”

(1). In Jason’s expedition of the Argo, with the help of Medea, Jason acquires the Golden Fleece

which is part cause of the quality of life that Jason and Medea live. Allusion to the expedition

exhibits the world state and illustrates the great injustices of men and, naturally, the vengeance as

a result. This worldly dismay is, as Aristotle has deemed, duly a part of the tragedy and the state

of disequilibrium that serves as an accompaniment to the strife of the protagonist. Specifically,

the Golden fleece illustrates the injustice suffered by many who have crossed paths with it,

notably: Athamas, Nephele, Ino, and of course Jason deeming it only natural what befalls Medea
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in her assistance to Jason. As stated prior, the world around Medea seems to be controlled

entirely by Fate, further exemplified through the inevitability of her hand in the murder of her

own children stating that “[she] must kill [her] children and leave [the] land before [she givers

[her] enemies a chance to slaughter them…” (1260-1263). Medea’s fate is solidified, leading her

to kill the ones she loves most as to not let them die in dishonor by the hands of enemies that will

do so to spite her. Medea’s ultimatum leaves her with no choice but to murder her own children

as to, in the end, secure their innocence but inevitably being her own downfall as, clearly stated

throughout the play, children are great assets. The loss of significant figures that lead to the

disgrace of the protagonist is crucial to the integrity of the tragedy as it leads to a plays

illumination which is because of the dissent of the protagonist in totally accepting their fate,

demonstrated in Medea’s final words with Jason at the end of the story. Although, the

illumination of “Medea” does not lie necessarily in her protagonist but in the eyes of the

audience who pities her misery and altogether through one of Euripides’ main themes of the

tragedy: the affects of patriarchal society on the character of men. That is, Euripides does not

seek to necessarily enlighten the audience through the protagonist but “Medea” itself which

seems to be a constant bombardment of strife, all due to patriarchy. Finally, a theme presented

through the play is vengeance and justice most notably in the form of justice for Medea’s

reputation and dignity: “O Zeus, and Zeus’s Justice, and the light of Helios, I now shall be the

victor over my enemies” (785-787). Medea seeks the help of gods, she hopes to redefine herself,

acquiring her dignity in the name of vengeance which she deems as Justice. The rhetoric behind

justice and vengeance is supported by appealing to the public ethos and pathos, which in many

societies is contravesial in its radical manner over the true nation of the rational Justice. By

appealing to the public Euripides is able to present a noble cause in the eyes of the people which,
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by Aristotle’s definition, characterizes a tragedy. Euripides incorporates this theme to lure the

audience, enticing them with a satisfiying possibility of vengeance, and setting up the plot to the

over all illumination of this theme which shows the flaw in vengefulness. Aristotle’s definition

of the tragedy, although not very conventionally, is satisfied through “Medea” by Euripides.M

The tragic hero above all else is an individual whose apparently noble cause in disrupted

by themselves and a flaw that leaves the audience to pity their misfortune as well as enlightens

through fear of being in the same place, Medea fits this mold. Medea is proud, determined, and

feels obligated which is demonstrated through her standings as an enchantress and wise woman:

“My father’s father, Helios, gives me safety…” (1367). Medea’s pride gives her confidence that

she will be victorious, that she will prevail, and that she is destined to do so as well. Helios is

used by Euripides to supplement her pride as she may be seen as a demigod making her superior

to her fellow humans and equal to the gods. Aristotle classifies his tragic hero in this light and

Euripides’ uses Medea for this purpose exactly. Additionally, Medea has a certain capacity for

suffering which she demonstrates through her great lengths to appear superior to others for

instance in the murder of her children (1260-1263). Medea murders her children simply for their

own names, she does so against her own will and is seemingly okay with it. Like a tragic hero

would do, Euripides’ uses this characteristic of Medea to evoke pity for her, that is, she truly

believes that what she is doing is good although many would argue that death would be a better

option. By her excessive determination, Medea is pitied which is necessary for the role of the

tragic hero which is to illuminate a larger scale of the playwright’s purpose. Lastly, Medea’s

dissent of any alternative that the fate she carries is exemplified through the ending: “This

chariot protects me” (1368). Medea’s escape signifies the end of the tragedy and her downfall.

Euripides’ use of the deux ex machina contributes to the pity that should be felt by the audience
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and the last standing note of what will happen next leaves the audience to think of what will

happen next, crucial to his purpose. Medea’s reluctance is used to relay the reluctance of all

individuals who will champion for a radical cause and is a supplement to the playwright’s

purpose which is central as the job of the tragic hero. Medea’s role as a tragic hero contributes

greatly to the novel and contributes to “Medea” as a tragedy.

Euripides’ “Medea” serves as a question to social norms that put the whole of men in

jeopardy by means of the method that Aristotle presented in his Poetics. This method is the

tragedy which Euripides’ wrote to challenge norms and create the great literature that is read

today, thousands of years later. Through his unnatural use of Aristotle’s definition of the tragedy,

Euripides’ makes great literature.