The Argonauts have returned from their quest to reclaim the legendary Golden Fleece, and the hero, Jason, is ready to settle down, marry a princess of Corinth and become a statesman. However, his first wife, the sorceress Medea, is understandably opposed to her husband's new marriage. A foreigner and an outsider to the ways of Greece, Medea is unceremoniously driven out of Corinth by Jason and his new father-in-law, Creon - but not before Medea can enact her grisly revenge by murdering Creon and his daughter. Finally, in one of the most infamous moments in Greek tragedy, Medea punishes Jason for his betrayal by slaying their two young children in cold blood before escaping upon the backs of two dragons.
Seneca’s verse adaptation of this famous tragedy stays true to Euripides’ original, while adding Seneca’s poetic sensibilities with an extra focus on Medea’s supernatural powers. This classic story of a betrayed witch princess lends itself to a variety of modern readings and adaptations, and touches on essential themes of feminism, justice and “otherness.”
Medea guide sections
