Source edition
Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. I. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This classical Greek tragedy depicts the fierce revenge of Medea, a foreign princess betrayed by her husband. Set in Corinth, the drama begins as Jason, who once owed his glory to Medea's devotion, decides to marry the daughter of King Creon, leading to the banishment of Medea and her children. Consumed by anger and despair, Medea secures a one-day reprieve from the king and plans her vengeance after obtaining a promise of sanctuary from the King of Athens. She feigns reconciliation with Jason and uses their children to deliver poisoned gifts to the new bride, resulting in the gruesome deaths of the princess and the king. Despite a painful internal conflict between maternal love and her desire for revenge, Medea ultimately decides to slaughter her own children. At the play's climax, she departs for Athens in a chariot sent by the sun god, leaving the devastated Jason behind and illustrating the terrifying power of human passion ('thumos').