It experienced renewed interest in the feminist movement of the late 20th century, being interpreted as a nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of Medea's struggle to take charge of her own life in a male-dominated world. The play was rediscovered with Rome's Augustan drama again in the 16th-century then remained part of the tragedic repertoire, becoming a classic of the Western canon, and the most frequently performed Greek tragedy in the 20th century. Some believe that this indicates a poor reception, but 'the competition that year was extraordinarily keen' Sophocles, often winning first prize, came second. Medea, with three others, earned Euripides third prize in the City Dionysia. Medea takes vengeance on Jason by murdering Jason's new wife as well as her own children (two sons), after which she escapes to Athens to start a new life.Įuripides' play has been explored and interpreted by playwrights across the centuries and the world in a variety of ways, offering political, psychoanalytical, feminist, among many other original readings of Medea, Jason and the core themes of the play.

The plot centers on the actions of Medea, a former princess of the 'barbarian' kingdom of Colchis, and the wife of Jason she finds her position in the Greek world threatened as Jason leaves her for a Greek princess of Corinth. Perfect in and out of the classroom as well as for theatrical performance, this faithful translation succeeds like no other.Medea (Ancient Greek:, Mdeia) is an ancient Greek tragedy written by Euripides, based upon the myth of Jason and Medea and first produced in 431 BC. Stallings examines the complex and multifaceted Medea in patriarchal ancient Greece. An introduction by classicist and poet A.E. In this stunning translation, poet Charles Martin captures the rhythms of Euripides’ original text through contemporary rhyme and meter that speak directly to modern readers.

At its center is Medea herself, a character who refuses definition: Is she a hero, a witch, a psychopath, a goddess? All that can be said for certain is that she is a woman who has loved, has suffered, and will stop at nothing for vengeance. A barbarian woman brought to Corinth and there abandoned by her Greek husband, Medea seeks vengeance on Jason and is willing to strike out against his new wife and family-even slaughtering the sons she has born him. Renowned poet and acclaimed translator Charles Martin faithfully captures Euripides’s dramatic tone and style in this searing tale of revenge and sacrifice.The Medea of Euripides is one of the greatest of all Greek tragedies and arguably the one with the most significance today.

Medea euripides full text