Euripides' "Medea" And Seneca's "Medea": Compare/Contrast

Abstract: 5 pages in length. Both Seneca and Euripides envisioned something different when they each penned their individual version of Medea. That Euripides put forth a decidedly more humane and sensitive version illustrates how Seneca took her fundamental character and transformed it into an unsavory, vengeful sorcerer. Clearly, Seneca's Medea boasts a more defiant, anger characterization than does Euripides, asserting an obvious contempt for Medea in particular, as well as women in general. Contrarily, Euripides' Medea tells of a genuine love that is torn apart by greed and blind ambition; had it not been for Jason's impetuosity, Medea would have had no reason to utilize her magical abilities in such a vengeful fashion. The message that such vast difference says about each culture speaks to the issue of patriarchal control. No additional sources cited.

Filename: TLCmdea2.wps

Pages: 5

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Catagory: Greek & Roman Mythology

Subcatagory: Mythology

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