At the outset, Medea is portrayed as a disheartened woman betrayed by her husband in the pursuit of another lover. She is observed to be a woman of extreme emotion and one of great devotion to her family, and above all her husband. Her character, which is seemingly that of a very peaceful and rational spirit, abruptly shifts to develop into an intemperate heart with the definite goal of destruction in mind. Instead of choosing a path involving that of mercy and reason, Medea allows for her passion; her desire for true love's revenge, to overpower the original subtle portion of her character. Her aspirations to become a respected and cherished women in a Greek society that was based to function on injustices such as the subordination of women, stands out as a struggle of a woman that has suffered an oppressive life. However, along her lustful path of revenge, the one person she is hurting most is but herself.
English: Jason and Medea by John William Waterhous...
Identical reproduction of a painting on canvas.
"Medea" (1889) by Evelyn de Morgan; Scholars see p...Along her quest towards the reclamation of vengeance of a broken heart, she not only kills her husband's new lover and her father, but also kills her own blood; her children, claiming that by doing so she will be protecting them from an even crueler counter-revenge by her enemies. However, as her rage for revenge steadily develops into an uncontrollable insanity, her quest begins to be observed as a damned path for Medea; filled with remorse, sorrow, and grief.