Inequality between men and women has always existed in society. Examples of this are expressed through literature. Henrik Ibsen's play entitled A Doll's House is very similar to Euripides play Medea. Both plays portray these factors and how women are forced to cope with such positions in society. Each play exhibits a separation of family due to its controversial characters, leading one to believe Ibsen modeled his play after Medea.
The main character in Euripides" play is Medea. Some of her very important qualities are also seen in Ibsen's main character Nora. Medea is known for her cleverness. She convinces King Creon to allow her to stay in Corinth for one more day. Medea pleads:.
Allow me to remain here just this one day, .
So I may consider where to live in my exile, .
And look for support for my children, since their father .
Chooses to make no kind of provision for them. .
Have pity on them! You have children of your own. .
It is natural for you to look kindly on them. .
For myself I do not mind if I go into exile. .
It is the children being in trouble that I mind." (Euripides p. 12) .
She plays upon Creon's weakness for children. Medea uses the time he allows her to plot revenge against Jason and his new royal family. The heroin puts her plan into action killing both the king and the princess.
Her cleverness is also displayed when she encounters Aegeus, the king of Athens. She is aware of the difficulty he has with conceiving and she uses that to persuade him to allow her to stay in Athens, and protect her from anyone who may come to find her. She states, .
" But receive me in your land and at your very hearth.
So may your love, with God's help, lead to the bearing.
Of children, and so may you yourself die happy. .
You do not know what a chance you have come on here. .
I will end your childlessness, and I will make you able to beget children. .
The drugs I know can do this." (Euripides p.23) .
These are just a few examples of how Medea uses her cleverness to get what she wants.