Character Analysis

Character Analysis

Character of Medea and her anger for her husband

Medea shows herself to be a proactive, determined woman who is ready to do what she has been planning throughout the story. In the begging of the book she starts to threaten revenge on her husband, Jason, "If I can find the means or devise to pay my husband back for what he has done to me…"(pg 9). Medea is just touching on her anger that she has built up within her for her husband. The traditional Athenian women would be mourning the loss of her husband, and may feel angry with him but would never swear to revenge him for his doings, and lastly actually do them. Women are usually portrayed in this situation being so dependent on their husbands that they will still do anything for him as so he will continue to help support the children and possibly his ex-wife.

Medea when she decides it is time for her to kill her children struggles with the idea for a minute, "…do not be a coward, do not think of them, and how you are their mother…Oh I am an unhappy women."(Pg 40). This is how a traditional Athenian woman would think, but she would be unable to commit to her plans and kill her own children. Medea on the other hand lets her passion and hatred for Jason take over her reasonable and straight thinking self, as she kills her own children while listening to them pray to God for help.

Medea"s cruel and savage passions take overtake her reasoning as the story proceeds. Medea"s views differ of that of the traditional Athenian women in that, Medea believes that "…women, though most helpless in doing good deeds, are of every evil the cleverest contrives. She is the opposite of how women are portrayed and this just shows how Medea"s thoughts and actions break down Athenian misogyny. After talking to Aegeus, Medea contrives her plan. "For I will send the children with gifts in their hands to carry to the bride and when she puts them on, she and all who touch her will dies form the poison I will lay on them."(pg 26). Not only does Medea concoct a horrific plan, but also she decides to use her children as "messengers of death". Then she will kill her own child to protect them form being killed by a mob and also to put a final stake though Jason"s heart, as the kids are his only true love. Medea"s plan further demonstrates how she breaks down all views of a traditional Athenian woman.

Character of Oedipus

Oedipus makes this statement about the killer of King Lauis, cursing the killer not knowing he was the killer. This is an example of dramatic irony. Another example of irony is that when towards the end Oedipus gouges his eyes out and becomes blind. This is an example of irony because Oedipus has been blind or ignorant to all the circumstances and happenings around ...