Critical analysis of Medea (part 2)

Aristotle criticised “Medea” as he believed the murder of the children breached the bounds of decorum and was revolting, but is that not the point? Euripides has created such a morally inept story that society views the revenge within it as a psychological issue that must be dealt with. Aristotle also criticised it as the arrival of Aegeus was irrational and the ending was not the logical result of the characterisation and plot. But Euripides schematic if slightly improbable plot and relatively two-dimensional characters are compensated for by his use of surprise and theatricality. For example the description of Glauce’s and Creon’s deaths by the Messenger “…The golden coronet round her head discharged a stream Of unnatural devouring fire…”(line 1187-1188, p. 53), Medea’s murder of her children, “We can’t escape from her sword!” (line 1276 p. 56) and the dramatic Deus ex machina, the chariot drawn by dragons in Medea’s triumphant exit. Euripides conveys Medea’s destructive passion and his thesis powerfully to his audience.

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