"" (573-575).
Medea refers to the perceived inferiority of women herself, though perhaps in a sarcastic way, to the chorus:.
"We were born women "useless for honest purposes,.
But in all kinds of evil skilled practitioners."" (577-578).
The prejudices in the play doesn't come as a surprise taking into account the plays' historical context: both were written in fifth-century Greece, a time and place where women were prevented from voting, making money, and (in some cases) even leaving the home. But it is a surprise that a play would feature a woman rebelling against authority: as both Antigone and Medea do. Antigone, of course, rebels by burying the body of Polynices, breaking the laws of Creon. Medea rebels by taking revenge on her ex-husband. However, their motives for rebellion are different. .
Medea's primary motive is revenge. She wants revenge for Jason's crimes in order to defend her own honor:.
"[I] must not invite.
Laughter from Jason and his new allies - (409-410).
But her action goes beyond getting revenge for the injustice Jason committed against her, and serves the secondary purpose as a protest against the broad injustices of men against women. Medea refers constantly to her womanhood and its "wretchedness- (229):.
"A woman's weak and timid in most matters;.
The noise of war, the look of steel, makes her a coward.
But touch her right in marriage, and there's no bloodier spirit."" (260-262).
This illustrates that she identifies with women in her fight for justice. Her fight is for women, as well as for herself. She makes direct reference to her feelings of discrimination as a woman:.
"Surely, of all creatures that have life and will, we women.
Are the most wretched. When, for an extravagant sum,.
We have bought a Husband, we must then accept him as .
Possessor of our body.
Then the great question; will the man.
We get be bad or good? For women, divorce is not.
Respectable; to repel the man, not possible.
Medea and Antigone In the plays Medea, and Antigone, by Euripides and Sophocles, two women are portrayed as independent, stubborn individuals. ... There was one distinct difference between Medea and Antigone. Antigone was definitely more courageous than Medea. ... Medea and Antigone both stood against the men of their city. ... Both Antigone and Medea stood up against this ridiculous trend. ...
Antigone As a Feminist Women in Greek drama were often portrayed as sympathetic and forgiving, because they were not to be faced with the burdens of politics, religion, or war. ... Instead she should be praised as a well-educated woman who led an active role in politics and religions; thus, qualifying her as a modern day feminist. ... Ismene insists that she die alongside Antigone to show support for her cause, thus showing how influential Antigone is. ... Antigone's role in the play could be described as powerful. ... Her selfless act not only provided a proper burial for her brothe...
Though similar in definition, it has been argued that in Sophocles' story, "Antigone", he portrays Antigone as either one of the first known feminists, or an activist, who stood against outlandish governmental laws. If feminists are simply a type of activist, then why not expose Antigone for who she is; an activist who believes in the laws of the gods rather than the laws of man. ... This quote is one of many that give us hints of Antigone's feminist point of view. If exploring the idea that Antigone's purpose in the story was to stand up for women's rights in a male do...
In the play Medea, by Euripides, many techniques are incorporated to augment the compelling persona of the protagonist, Medea. ... It is delivered early on in the play and has the potential to stun the audience with the passion contained within the words. ... Medea appears to be the leader of a "feminist movement" with the chorus and audience as followers, thus placing her on a pedestal, higher than a normal human being. ... The image of Jason and Creon in juxtaposition to Medea is essential in constructing Medea as a powerful character. ... At the end of Medea this is precisely what happens, ...
Sophocles demonstrates an affinity for feminist values in his play Antigone, which portrays its female characters as more motivated, morally upright, and braver than their male counterparts. ... Antigone states, "I know I please the souls I seek to please" (Sophocles Antigone 103). ... Therefore, Sophocles allows his audience to see that women will always not conform to laws that do not make any moral sense in this way we can see his feminist beliefs. Finally, Antigone's bravery is yet another clue into Sophocles feminist views. ... Thus, this play varies from others of its...
Medea "Medea illustrates the gap between male and female perceptions of the world." ... Euripides" has also been described as a feminist and a misogynist. ... Medea is the main character of the play. ... In Medea the Chorus is a group or Corinthian women whose main objective is to sympathise with Medea. ... The Nurse is Medea's closest confidant. ...
Sophocles" Antigone takes place in ancient Thebes at a time when men were warriors and women were delicate. The feminist movement has not yet come to pass, and yet one young woman, Antigone, stands out, defying the decree made by her uncle, her king. ... Although Antigone does not explicitly stress her gender, Creon does. ... Sophocles also portrays Antigone as having a morbid fascination with death. ... The character of Antigone is further developed through her regard for love and her family. ...
Though one of his plays, Medea, was rather unpopular because of its feminist ideas at the time, it is now one of the most studied and famous plays among scholars and readers alike. ... Medea's internal conflicts are also a vital part to the development of the plot. ... Here, Medea is miserable and confused about her life. ... Although the royal family is not directly related to Medea, Medea and Jason's children are the links that make them all part of one family. ... All the play's tragedies occur within Medea's family, a final criterion determining that Medea is a trag...
The tragedies of Medea, Antigone, Electra, and even Agamemnon, show women are strong and free willed and are capable of doing things on their own. In Euripides" Medea, Medea is constantly talking about the conditions that women face in her time. ... In Medea, as well as other plays, there is a sense of role reversals. Medea is shown to be tough, and is warrior like in her speeches to the chorus. ... Like Medea she is also driven by revenge. ...
