Introduction to Euripides' Medea

Welcome to your study of Euripides' Medea! While this play is a famous tragedy, we are looking at it through a very specific lens: The Invention of the Barbarian (H408/23). In this module, we aren't just looking at the plot; we are investigating how the Greeks used characters like Medea to define what it meant to be "Greek" by showing what a "Barbarian" looked like. Don't worry if the play feels intense at first. At its heart, it is a story about an outsider in a world that doesn't trust her. We will explore how Medea’s barbarian status shapes her actions, her magic, and the way other characters treat her. Note: For the broader context of how Greeks viewed non-Greeks, see the chapter "Greeks and barbarians: polarities and stereotypes."

The Context: Medea as the "Other"

In the Greek mind, the world was divided into two groups: Greeks and Barbarians (anyone who didn't speak Greek). Medea is the ultimate barbarian because:
  • She comes from Colchis (modern-day Georgia), which the Greeks considered the edge of the civilised world.
  • She is a princess, but also a sorceress with powers that seem frightening and "un-Greek."
  • She is a woman in a male-dominated society, making her a "double outsider."
Key Concept: The Greek/Barbarian Polarity The Greeks believed they were rational, law-abiding, and controlled. They often depicted barbarians as the opposite: emotional, lawless, and prone to extremes. Euripides uses Medea to explore these stereotypes.

Medea’s Character: Formed by Barbarian Status

The syllabus focuses on how Medea’s character is "formed by her barbarian status." This means her background isn't just a detail—it is the reason she acts the way she does.

1. Extreme Emotion vs. Greek "Reason"

One of the biggest barbarian stereotypes was lack of self-control. Medea’s love for Jason was "excessive" (she killed her own brother to help him), and her hatred is just as extreme.

Example: When Jason leaves her for a Greek princess, Medea doesn't just seek a legal divorce; she plans a total, bloody destruction of his life. To a Greek audience, this reflected the "wild" nature of a non-Greek.

2. The Use of Magic and Poisons

While Greeks had religion and rituals, magic and poisoning were often associated with barbarians (especially those from the East).

Example: Medea uses a poisoned robe and crown to kill the Princess and Creon. This "sneaky" way of fighting was seen as cowardly and barbarian, compared to the "honourable" face-to-face combat of a Greek hero.

3. Oaths and Honour

Medea is obsessed with oaths. She reminds Jason constantly that he swore by the gods to be faithful.

The Twist: Ironically, Medea acts more like a traditional Greek hero (worrying about time or honour and kleos or reputation) than Jason does! However, because she is a barbarian woman, her pursuit of honour leads to the horrific murder of her own children to ensure Jason has no legacy.


Quick Review: Why is Medea a "Barbarian" character?
  • Origin: From Colchis, a distant, "primitive" land.
  • Behaviour: Driven by passion (thumos) rather than logic.
  • Skills: Uses witchcraft and poisons.
  • Identity: Lacks a polis (city-state) and family protection in Greece.

Jason’s Arguments: The "Civilising" Greek

To understand the "Invention of the Barbarian," you must look at how Jason treats Medea. He represents the typical 5th-century Athenian view of superiority. Jason’s "Gifts" to Medea: Jason actually argues that he did Medea a favour by bringing her to Greece. He claims he gave her:
  • Justice: Instead of the "rule of force" in her homeland, she now lives under Greek Law.
  • Fame: In Greece, people know she is clever; in Colchis, she was nobody.
  • Culture: He believes Greek life is naturally better than "barbarian" life.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume Euripides totally agrees with Jason. Jason is often portrayed as cold and selfish. Euripides might be showing that "civilised" Greeks can be just as cruel as "barbarians."

The Ending: A Barbarian Triumph?

The end of the play is shocking for the "Invention of the Barbarian" theme. After murdering her children, Medea escapes in a chariot drawn by dragons, sent by her grandfather, the Sun God Helios. Why this matters: In most Greek stories, the "civilised" side wins. But here:
  • Medea is not punished by the gods.
  • She escapes to Athens (the heart of Greece!).
  • She leaves Jason, the "Greek hero," broken and alone.
This suggests that the "barbarian" Medea has a power that Greek society cannot contain or fully understand.

Key Takeaways for the Exam

  • Stereotypes: Medea fits the "Barbaric" profile by being highly emotional, vengeful, and skilled in "Eastern" magic.
  • Polarity: The play contrasts Greek "Reason" (Jason) with Barbarian "Passion" (Medea), but often shows that the Greek side is flawed.
  • The "Other": Medea’s status as a foreigner makes her dangerous to the polis (city-state) because she does not follow Greek social rules.

Memory Aid: The "M.A.G.I.C." of Medea
M - Magic: Uses un-Greek sorcery.
A - Anger: Driven by extreme, "barbaric" emotion.
G - Grandfather: Connected to the Sun God (non-human/divine heritage).
I - Insulted: Her barbarian pride cannot endure Jason's mockery.
C - Colchis: Her distant, exotic, and "savage" birthplace.


Final Encouragement

Don't worry if Medea seems like a "villain." For this exam, focus on why she is depicted that way. Is it because she is a woman? Or is it because, as a barbarian, she represents everything the Greeks feared about the outside world? Master that distinction, and you'll do great!