Medea for Women: A Review

Despite its backdrop of wonder and enchantment, "Medea" is not a romantic play but a tragedy focused on character and circumstance. It does not explore the romance itself, but rather the aftermath of romance, which often turns out to be far from romantic. Most romances tend to have a flaw somewhere, and in the tale of Jason and Medea, this flaw proved to be fatal.

"Medea" is among Euripides' earliest surviving works. Those who have been drawn to the ideals of realism may recognize in it the qualities of youth. However, not the typical romantic youth of stories like "Romeo and Juliet", but a different kind - raw, severe, and intense - the youth of a poet who is both a skeptic and a seeker of truth. This poet detests the superficially beautiful, to the point of being overly austere towards beauty itself. When a writer lacking in poetry takes this approach, the result can be unpleasant. However, when the writer, like Euripides or Tolstoy, is fueled by an inner poetry that overcomes constraints, the outcome is powerful and moving.

In "Medea", the natural romance of the story is restrained. References to Medea's ancient serpent, the Clashing Rocks, and Jason's true love for the ship Argo are sparingly provided by the merciless bringer of misfortune. Jason is portrayed as a mature man, filled with glory and illusions, focused on achieving great success. Love and its complexities, although occasionally beneficial, are largely seen as irrational and disruptive elements that threaten Jason's carefully crafted world.

This interpretation of "Medea" by Gilbert Murray, based on Euripides' work, sheds light on the tragic story of Jason and Medea, emphasizing the harsh realities and consequences of romance and ambition.

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