Medea

Medea vs. The Traditional Roles of Women in Ancient Greece The Greek tragedy, Medea by Euripides, is the tale of a woman scorned and her tactful revenge. During the era in which Medea takes place, society often placed women into submissive roles. However, the play Medea challenges the conventional customs of Greece. Euripides displays the nonconformity and rebelliousness of Medea as a means of criticizing the treatment of women in ancient Greece. Upon reading Euripides’ …

…A woman seeking revenge challenges society’s view of women as weak and passive. Overall, Euripides’ characterization of Medea, defies the traditional view of women in ancient Greece. In no other literature had there been such a ruthless, yet iron willed female protagonist. “ I am not a Greek woman,” states Medea, in Act 1 lines 80-82. Medea’s untraditional and nonconformist approach to life, certainly establish her as a woman in a league of her own.