Medea Project

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A Theme from Medea

In the Greek tragic Medea, there are many themes that are represented. One of such is, "Human beings–not fate, not the gods, not bad luck–are the authors of their own misfortunes." This theme is a perfect example for this tragic and is expressed in many ways and many times throughout the poem. As shown in the poem, the Greek gods had little to do with the misfortunes of Jason and Medea. The only ones who brought doom were human. Medea killed her children, Creon exiled Medea, Jason decided to marry another woman, and Medea also killed Creon and his daughter. Fate nor the gods had anything to do with those events. Fate may bring us trouble and obstacles, but what we do with those mistakes and obstacles, is up for our decision to make. Also, it is our destiny to decide on how we are going to apply whatever we learned from that mistake to our own lives so that we don't make the same mistake twice. If fate were to be in control of our misfortunes, or the gods (what ever you believe in) then we, as humans, wouldn't last more that probably a week here on earth, let alone on space missions. For example, in the "Apollo 13" space mission, the explosion wasn't caused by some crazy god, nor was it just happened to have happened. The explosion was caused by a crushed oxygen line, which by the way oxygen is highly flammable if you didn't know. The oxygen tank used in "Apollo 13" was taken from the past ship "Apollo 10". During extraction and modification, the oxygen tank was dropped two inches. That caused an internal fill line to become jarred. Now, what dropped the oxygen tank? It was humans! We humans are to blame for that great misfortune. We humans, were also the authors of the deaths for all of the seven crew members of the "Space Shuttle Challenger." That incident was caused by humans deciding to launch a space mission on a cold January day. The rings that kept gases from leaking was made of rubber. When rubber gets cold, it constricts, making it less durable to stretch and fit into cracks in a space shuttle. So with that being said, fate might give us the roads and the paths in life, but, when a divide in that road occurs, we are the ones who decide on which path to take; even if we know what the outcome will be.

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Please excuse the cussing in the beginning. The rest of the video is great though.

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A Royal Death

So it turns out that the princess had accepted the gifts. But she also let the children stay with her, so now Medea’s plan was underway and was only a matter of time before the poison had taken effect on the princess and killed her. When we heard of the news about the princess and the children, we all had a face of despair; for we knew that it was only moments before Medea had to kill her children so that the plan would be complete. At that moment, I hadn’t prepared myself for the emotions that began to overwhelm me because I truly didn’t think that Medea could make her plan go so well and unseen. But it was happening so I tried to hold back my emotions so that I wouldn’t interfere with the rest of the plan. After Medea had sent the children inside, everyone started to feel the anxiety and the emotions of what would become of the children and the princess. Once we had calmed ourselves, Medea came out and said that our long wait was over for one of Jason’s servants was running to us. She told us to prepare to hear the news of disaster. The news that the messenger had brought us wasn’t new. Not knowing Medea’s plans, the messenger was full of adrenaline. He said that the princess, and even the king, had died from one of Medea’s poisons. Upon hearing this news, Medea began to rejoice. For now her main plan was complete. The messenger, however, was completely confused on what had happened. He asked how Medea could be so happy in times in which she should be afraid of execution from Jason. Wanting know exactly what had happened, Medea asked the messenger to tell her what had happened with extreme detail. The messenger’s story even gave me the chills. He said that the princess had excepted the gifts with much pleasure. He also said that as soon as Jason had left, that the princess had greedily put on the dress and the crown. As she was admiring herself in her mirror, the messenger said that one of the elder servants were with her when all of a sudden as the princess was dance in her room, her legs began to tremble, and the princess fell to the ground. Her face, apparently, began to go extremely pale. The servant that was in the room thought it was a evil god who had possessed the princess so she began to pray for the princess. When I heard that, I thought that that was one of the most ridiculous things ever, but at the same time though, I knew what was happening. But the nurse realized what was happening when the princess began to foam at the mouth and her skin began to leak with blood. At that moment all of the servants started searching for Creon and Jason to tell them of the terrible news. As the servants were trying to get Creon and Jason, the princess’ torment continued as the poison from the crown began to affect the princess. The crown began to catch on fire and set the princess on fire as well. By the time that the king arrived, the princess was unrecognizable. Her eyes had melted out of her head and her face was covered in blood. Her skin also began to fall off of her bones. When the king saw his daughter, he ran to her, hugged her, which was a mistake you see for when he hugged her and told her that he wanted to die with her, he didn’t realize what had happened until it was too late. He too was entangled in the murderous dress and began to die with his daughter. After the messenger had told the story of the princess’ death, he left. Once he had left, Medea went inside of the house to finish her task. When she left, the chorus was devastated. They tried to tell her that the children didn’t have to die. But Medea didn’t listen and went inside anyways. When she did, the chorus began to breakdown and weep. After a while, we began to hear cries for help from inside of the house. We knew then that the final stage was underway. It was so terrible to hear the cries of children that eventually I just couldn’t take it anymore so I began to leave. But before I was able to leave, Jason appeared looking for Medea. He was mad to. Both crazy and angry mad. He asked us where Medea was. The chorus leader told him that it was too late and that Medea had killed his only sons. When he began to bang on the door, Medea appeared from out behind the house in a chariot from Helios. In the chariot was the children. They began to argue, but like always, Jason was the fool. In the end all Jason wanted to do was bury his own children. Which luckily, Medea told him that he could never see them again. I would’ve done the same thing. If she gave the children to him, I would’ve left right then and there. So then Medea disappears into the sky while Jason is left there weeping in his own grief.  

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Medea's "Apology" to Jason

So it was official. We were going to kill the princess, the children, and ruin Jason's life forever. All just in a moment of time. But before we could kill the princess, Medea wanted to "apologize" to Jason. Why do I put quotations around apologize you may ask. I do that because Medea isn't really apologizing to Jason, she merely is just going to give Jason what he wants so that he isn't so suspicious of her. If he isn't suspicious of her, than her plan will goes as planned without obstacles, hopefully. So then like, we sent the nurse to go and bring Jason to us so that Medea could "apologize" to him for what she had said earlier. When in reality though, she meant every single word that she said. I know it to for she told us that she meant every word! Right before Jason arrived, I was afraid that Medea would chicken out because the chorus started to tell Medea of how like she shouldn't kill her children and how it's not right by the law of man, also like how can the gods allow this. I was pacing back-and-forth like, chorus shut up before Medea decides to change her mind about this. I mean she needs to do this, Jason deserves what he is about to get. Then after a while, Jason arrived, but he had a look on his face as if he was afraid/really didn't want to be there. Which I mean he should be, we're about to ruin his life forever. So when he asked Medea what she wanted, she said that she was sorry for what she said and that she was wrong for accusing him of leaving her for no reason. She also said that she was sorry for not recognizing how he is trying to make her more secure and to protect their children by giving them other sons that are connected to royalty. Again though, she is lying to him so that her plan won't be recognized and so that her children can give the princess her gifts of doom without having to have those gifts fall into the wrong hands. After "apologizing" she called for her sons and was like, children, come see your father for he is going to make your future better. Then she started to cry. I was like, why crying for Medea, it all good. But it turns out that it was sorta a fake cry to soften up Jason, she said that she was concerned for the children and that it was a woman's nature to cry. She was concerned for the children because they to would have to be exiled. When she said that, I realized what she was doing, she was trying to get the children into the palace so that the gifts could be given to the princess so that she would die. So it turns out that her strategy worked! She was able to have Jason beg the king to let the children stay and give the princess the gifts. What she tells the children is that they need to give the princess the gifts and beg for them not to be exiled. She tells them also that they need to make sure that they put the gifts in her hands. It's funny that she says that because everyone except for Jason and the children know why the children have to put the gifts in the princess' hands. So that the poison gets to her body. So then Jason and the children left with the tutor and the nurse. After they left I was like, yeah now the plan is actually happening. Once I had said that, the chorus jumped in and said to Medea that Medea should give up hope that the children would survive if the poisons took effect immediately. I was like well duh, Medea gave up hope a long time ago, last few hours at least, that the children would survive.  

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Aegeus' Saving Grace

When Aegeus asked Medea what had happened, I was like have you not heard or are you just to dumb to realize what had happened. But with him being in Delphi, I didn't expect Aegeus to know what has happened. So Medea told Aegeus of how Jason has left her for the princess, how he blames Medea, how he lies, and how she is to be exiled tomorrow. So Aegeus was like, who declares you be exiled. I'm like, Aegeus, who do you think has the power to exile anybody? The king of course! But before I got to say that, Medea said it for me. So with Aegeus being so generous, he was like, oh don't worry Medea, I'll help you, for I know that the gods want revenge as well for these broken vows. The whole time while he's helping Medea plan to as where she shall go, I was sitting there like, does Aegeus like Medea or something? That or he is just too nice of a guy. But the plan that Medea is to follow is that since Aegeus is to be the Corinthians guest, Medea has to reach Athens, where she shall stay with Aegeus, on her own. I had asked Aegeus why because it didn't make since why she just couldn't leave with him. But he explained that if she went with him, then Creon might execute/steal Medea back to Corinth. So after all of that, Medea made Aegeus swear an oath so that he couldn't betray Medea. But if he did, then the gods would punish him. So then after all of the confusion and preparation, Aegeus finally left. After Aegeus had left, I told Medea that if Aegeus wasn't true to his word, then she would have to have a backup plan as to escape, but she told me that Aegeus is a man of his word and to not worry about it. So then the chorus leader and Medea both said a blessing for Aegeus so that he would stay true to his word and to protect him during his travels. After a while of more conversation and preparation, we finally created a plan as to ruin Jason's life and to kill the princess. Medea is going to have her two sons give the princess a gown and a crown-like headband made of supple gold. But each gift is going to be engineered with some of Medea's worst poisons so that the princess will die, and anyone who touches her, will die as well. I was like, this is going to be great!

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Aegeus' Arrival

So then like, when we all thought that Medea had no hope of salvation, or any chance for redemption, Aegeus came just in the nick of time to save Medea. When he arrived, I was like bruh what you doing here. Because he was dressed like he had just gotten back from a traveling adventure. It turns out that Aegeus can't have children! I be like what, really, how? But that's his business so I didn't ask him. Anyways, so apparently he went to a place called Delphi. I've never been out of Corinth, so I had no clue as too what he was talking about. The name sounded familiar, but maybe I had heard it in a story or in someone else's business. But he said that in that town was a great oracle for Apollo. I was like so why were you there? So he explained to us that he went to the oracle so that he could see if he could have a child with his wife. The oracle, who I think is a phony, said that he had to choke off the wine skin's spout. What that means I am not going to say. That conversation is for another day. Hey that rhymed! So after Aegeus told us that, I asked him why that he had sailed to here if he was on his way home? But being Aegeus and always wanting to find out more, he said that he wanted to go and talk to the Troezen king. I guess Aegeus doesn't know what the riddle meant. So right before he began to leave for the king, he said to Medea that he noticed that her face was wet with tears. I was like well no duh, Jason just left her for another woman's bed.

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The Argument Between Medea And Jason

So like once Medea had told Jason that she would make fun of him in times of misery, you could tell that he wasn’t too happy. But I mean he shouldn’t be, he just left one of the greatest people in the world. But to make matters worse for him, Medea did what she does best, she kept on making him angry. She told him that at the top of the list was that she was the one who had saved him from her father when her father had challenged him to a series of challenges. Such as the fight against the fire-breathing bull, ploughing the field of death, and to sow the monster seeds. All of those she had saved him from. Plus many more. She even left her homeland and father to go and follow Jason so that he might kill his uncle, so that Iolcus might be free once more. Plus, why should Jason be mad at Medea? I mean Medea gave him sons. It might be understandable if he had gone to another woman if Medea was barren, but she isn’t. So then after many minutes of arguing, and of going back-and-forth, the chorus jumped in and were like oh yeah love hate is more powerful than love itself. When the chorus had said that, I was just like really. Now is not a good time for one of your poetic lines. I was getting ready to smack them, but I looked at Medea and she shook her head as a sign as to tell me no and to just leave it alone. So I was like fine I’ll just lean back and chill as I listen to this argument unfold. After the chorus’ remark, Jason asked that if he was suppose to ride out Medea’s “storm”. Then he tried to say that Medea hadn’t help him get the Golden Fleece. He claims that it was all Aphrodite who had led him to the great fleece and back home. I was like really, yes it was Aphrodite who had protected you, but it was Medea who help you do everything along the way. Without her, Jason probably wouldn’t have made it even pass the fire-breathing bulls. So then like Jason was still going about his lies and bull when he says that if Medea weren’t so blind, then she would have seen past her pity and would see the plan. I’m like okay dude, from what it sounds like, you have no plan. Jason said that his plan was to marry the kings daughter so that Medea’s and Jason’s sons may be protected under royalty. When he said that I was floored. I’m like, Jason, have you never heard of the stories in which the lesser children get treated poorly from the royal family. But apparently Medea had the same views as me cause after a while of letting the news set in, Medea finally snapped and went off on Jason on how he is so ignorant and how she will make him submit to her, for the children of course though. So after a while, Medea and Jason finally calmed down a bit, not really, and eventually Jason got tired of Medea and just left. Which I’m glad he did because I was honestly getting ready to punch him in the throat because of his ego and his ignorance of what he has done to Medea.

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Jason's Excuses

So like once Creon had left and Medea, her friends, and I were almost finished plotting for her revenge on Jason, he shows up out of the middle of no where. So being the person that he is he looks at Medea and at that point we all knew who he really wanted to talk to. But being the friends that we are, Medea’s friends and I stayed to see what would become of Jason’s arrival. So then Jason said to Medea that even before he had met Medea, he knew that rage and anger were complete enemies. Who knew what he meant by that but no one dared question it though. So then after making that comment, Jason said that he had given Medea more than generous things such as a house, protection, and privileges. Of course though, we all know who saved Jason so he could have a house, but he didn’t recognize that and because of that, he made up a lie of him actually wanting Medea to stay in Corinth. But really though, who would be dumb enough to believe that lie? Not us of course. He said that it was Medea’s fault for her to be exiled because she supposedly couldn’t stop her rant against Creon and his daughter. When we thought that he was finished, he turned around and said that all he wanted to do was to do the right thing and to make sure that the children had enough supplies and money to survive the harsh exile. Then he throughout the whole line of I know that you’ll hate me for what I’ve said, but what I wont do is return the hate. Which it’s funny that he said that because he is the only one who is showing hate, if he really cared for Medea and the children, then he would have fought harder to save them from exile. But no… the King demands it he says. As Jason was saying all of these hateful things to Medea, her friends and I just looked at each other and were like how in the world does he have enough courage to speak to her like this in front of us. How dare he! But I held my tongue because I knew that if I had said something to the even slightest degree of negativity to Jason, then he would have the king execute me in a matter of seconds. Which luckily though, right before I exploded with hate and anger, Medea joined in and said that there were no names that exist that could describe his cowardliness and that no curse could ever answer his vileness. Also how that what man would ever offend one’s family and then have courage to face that family, in which he had just left for another woman, and then lie again? Man was I with Medea, I was like yeah you tell him. But of course I didn’t say that, I wanted to, but I didn’t in respect for Medea. But then right before I was getting ready to embarrass Jason, Medea throughout a comment that I never thought that she would say. She said that she was glad he was there. I mean why would she be glad that the man that had left her was back to see her? But then she said that she was going to sit down, catalog his lies and mistakes, then in times of misery, she would feel better about herself than what he would feel.    

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A talk with Medea… Continued

So like when Creon had told Medea of her exile, he was like if I let you stay, a woman like you will probably only hate me more for submitting to your pity. She was like why a woman like me? She was like how am I any different from any other person except for the fact that I am a woman who happens to have a reputation for being clever? And then she said that is being clever so wrong and that world of being dumb. Then she was like a person like me has to be mistrusted and despise because they are so clever. And as she spoke to Creon, you could tell that she had a hint of sarcasm in her voice. You can tell that it was sarcasm because she was like I don’t have the power to a king , which in reality she does have the power to kill a king because she is a sorceress so like she does have the ability to kill anyone she wants. Plus she can kill whoever she wants whenever she wants. Then after Medea had basically begged Creon to let her stay, and wished his alliance well, he was like a person like you I cannot trust because you would keep on planing to do me harm no matter what you say to me. Then after a long time arguing, going back-and-forth between Medea and Creon, Medea throughout the comment of how she needs her birth place more than ever, and a Creon was like oh well I love my children first and then my home. So he was like well the longer you stay the more trouble you to bring to your new homeland, then Medea was like actually my trouble starts once I leave so I should probably just stay here. So then Creon was like I know you’re not then, he was like I know you are defined my action to exile you. Then Medea was like I’m not rejecting exile, I am just asking for a day to prepare for exile cents my husband loves his new home more than his children, I need to plan their fate. Then Medea said that if he were to put his self and her shoes, he would understand what she is trying to do for herself, and her children. So then as Medea softened up Creon, he was like you know what I’ll be nice and I’ll give you one day but on one condition he said that if she had left by next day that her and her children would die by his hand. So then once Creon had left, the chorus, the tutor, the nurse, and I were like Medea how are you going to prepare for exile in just one day. We were like you’re doomed there’s no way for exile needs assistance, a plan, and a back up plan. Knowing of our concern, Medea said that she knew her situation was bad but when she had shown fake pity to Creon, he was a fool to have let down his guard. For she knew that if he has stood his ground, that she would have no hope to take revenge on Jason. So then after that idea had told us what had happened with Creon, we were all like how are we going to take revenge. We began talking all kind of crazy methods of revenge is such as torching their house, poisoning them and just plain murdering them with weapons and our bare hands.

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A talk with Medea

Before the nurse left to get Medea she says how when man invented song that they meant for it to be for decoration for festivals, banquets, and pretty tunes. When would be a came out of the house, you can tell that she was not happy. She was speaking about how Jason had torn out the thread that she had stitch to hold their life together. Also how that it happened so quickly that she wasn’t given time to build alliances with friends. It was so sad for Medea because she had loved Jason so much and he had hurt her so bad that she says how now she wears the face of death. Medea even questioned what other creatures were bred so purposefully for mistreatment as woman were. As Medea told a tutor, nurse, chorus, and I of her suffering and pain, I began to feel afraid that Medea would either hurt herself or even kill herself. Add me as Medea continued to rant about her pain and suffering, I began to remember how Medea came to Corinth. She was a war bride, she was an orphan, she was even taken from her own country. Once Medea has calmed down, the chorus and I began to understand her grief. The chorus had told her that they would not tell of her pain and suffering. As Medea came to a pause, I was about to comment on her story, when the king began to approach. The kings name was Creon, and his daughter was the princess in which Jason had left Medea for. So then when Creon confronted Medea, he said that he had came to tell Medea of her immediate exile. I was like exile why is she being exiled? How could she be exiled if she did not do anything wrong? But with Creon being the king and being there right in front of me, I did not question his authoritative motion. Because I knew that if I had told him something that he did not want to hear, he would probably have me beheaded by sunrise. Once Creon told Medea of her exile, you could see in her eyes the anger and hatred beginning to build up like fire in a volcano. Once she had gained control of her emotions, she asked why she was being exiled and if her husband had sent him to exile her. Creon was like actually I’m just afraid that you’ll hurt my daughter with your cleverness and vindictive.

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Medea & Jason's Conflict

So like I went to go see Medea at her house the other day. But when I was approaching her house, I heard some talking. So being my curious self, I hid behind some bushes and started to listen to who were talking. When I looked out from the bushes, I saw the nurse and the tutor talking to each other about Medea and Jason. Since I didn’t know what had recently happened, I stayed and tried to figure out what they were saying. I found out that Medea’s husband, Jason had left her. So I went to the tutor and the nurse and asked them about the recent events. They said that Jason left Medea for another woman. As we were talking, the chorus came into the conversation because they had information on what had happened. The woman that Jason had left Medea for was apparently the princess of Corinth. I didn’t think that Jason would do that to someone like Medea. I mean, she saved him for Zeus sake. She also basically gave him the “Golden Fleece”. So like why would he leave her? So I stayed there with the nurse and the tutor only to find out that Medea was so hurt that she was praying to Themis and Zeus to take revenge on the broken vows. Plus its even worse that she was basically begging them to take revenge on Jason. So then the nurse, tutor, and the chorus decided to bring out Medea so that we could talk to her about the recent events. But since nobody wanted to get her, the chorus told the nurse that she should go, I agreed with the chorus only because the nurse basically lives with Medea so she should know her best. The nurse said that she would go and that she couldn’t refuse orders but that Medea wouldn’t want to come out.