Quotations+and+Themes

“I am afraid she may think of some dreadful thing, for her heart is violent. She will never put up with the treatment she is getting. I know and fear her lest she may sharpen a sword and thrust to the heart, stealing into the palace where the bed is made, or even kill the king and the new-wedded groom, and thus bring a greater misfortune on herself.” –Nurse (2) “This I will promise. You are in the right, Medea, in paying your husband back. I am not surprised at you for being sad.” –Chorus (9) “It is a strange form of anger, difficult to cure, when two friends turn upon each other in hatred.” –Chorus (17) “When love is in excess it brings a man no honor nor any worthiness. But if in moderation Cypris comes, there is no other power at all so gracious.” –Chorus (20) “I both wish to help you and support the normal ways of mankind, and tell you not to do this thing.” –Chorus (26) “I know indeed what evil I intend to do, but stronger than all my afterthoughts is my fury, fury that brings upon mortals the greatest evils.” –Medea (35) “Many things the gods achieve beyond our judgment. What we thought is not confirmed and what we thought not god contrives. And so it happens in this story.” –Chorus (47)
 * Important Quotations **

Moderation This play presents the idea that many things are acceptable in moderation, but not in excess. Medea’s anger at the beginning of the play is okay, but when it escalates to the point of killing her children, it has gotten out of hand. The same thing is said about love. (see above quote–page 20) Passion over Reason Medea is driven entirely by passion and fury and does not consider the consequences. She is so focused on her desire for vengeance that she doesn’t see that she will have to live the rest of her life by herself knowing that she has killed her children. (See above quote-page 35) Sovereignty of the Gods Throughout the play, the gods appear many times. Characters continually consult and pray to the gods. In the end of the play, the gods help Medea to escape by providing her with a dragon drawn carriage. (See above quote-page 47) Women’s Rights In a few different points of the play, the suppressed role of women in the Greek culture is presented. On pages eight and nine, Medea lists many of the unfortunate aspects of being a woman in her culture. For example: they cannot refuse a marriage, the man is considered their master, they must remain faithful and the husband is not expected to do so, etc. Shallowness/Selfishness of Humanity In many of the play’s characters, the selfishness of humanity can be seen. Jason cares very little about Medea and his children, as is evident through his decision to leave them. Medea cares more about her revenge than about the lives of others and even her own children. Creon’s daughter will not help Jason’s children for his sake, but she agrees when she receives gifts from Medea. Suffering of the Innocent In the play, much of the suffering occurs to those who have done nothing wrong. Examples of this: the Children and Creon’s daughter
 * Themes **