Euripides Manipulation Of The Myth - 1133 Words

The most memorable writers are often those who diverge from the status quo, bending the lines just enough so that the curve of disbelief still faintly hits the border of reality. Although not the prime example, Athenian playwright Euripides deviated tremendously from the typical standards of Greek tragedies in his famous work Medea. Albeit the characterization was majorly based off of an existing Greek myth, Euripides’s manipulation of the protagonist and storyline created a drama encompassed by aberration and eccentricity far more peculiar than that of the established legend. However, Euripides used his audience’s developed knowledge of Greek mythology to his advantage and was still able to convey a believable story to the citizens of ancient Greece, earning him the third place prize at the Dionysian Festival that year. The protagonist of the Greek drama is Medea – a barbarian princess, a powerful witch, and a foreigner in her husband’s hometown of Corint h. A female lead in a drama written during a misogynist era should be the first indication that Medea is not an orthodox piece. Medea’s high and noble birth almost becomes irrelevant as the setting of the drama turns her royal status into that of an outsider. When her Medea’s husband, Jason, betrays her for the princess of Corinth in order to obtain a higher status, it becomes obvious that Medea’s birthright had diminished. The exposition of the play reveals Medea’s egocentric nature as she â€Å"lies, fasting, surrendering herShow MoreRelatedThematic Antithesis in Greek Tragedies Essay1358 Words   |  6 PagesThematic Antithesis in Greek Tragedies The binary oppositions in Euripides plays, Medea and Bacchae, emphasize the structural techniques seen throughout both of the plays works are â€Å"[described as] a pair of theoretical opposites or thematic contrasts† (Marvin 1). The themes are highly symmetrical throughout and typical of the structure of Greek tragedies. 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