Review (PDF) Medea (Dover Thrift Editions)
One of the most powerful and enduring of Greek tragedies, Medea centers on the myth of Jason, leader of the Argonauts, who has won the dragon-guarded treasure of the Golden Fleece with the help of the sorceress Medea. Having married Medea and fathered her two children, Jason abandons her for a more favorable match, never suspecting the terrible revenge she will take.Euripides' masterly portrayal of the motives fiercely driving Medea's pursuit of vengeance for her husband's insult and betrayal has held theater audiences spellbound for more than twenty centuries. Rex Warner's authoritative translation brings this great classic of world literature vividly to life.
Series: Dover Thrift Editions
Paperback: 47 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications; Rep Una edition (April 19, 1993)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486275485
ISBN-13: 978-0486275482
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.2 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #24,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #10 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Literature > World Literature > European #17 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Ancient & Classical #47 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Regional & Cultural > European
This play is regarded by many as Euripedes' masterpiece and should be required reading of all educated people. It retells the tragic story of Medea, who had helped Jason in his quest, became his wife, gave him two sons, and feels betrayed since he is marrying the daughter of the ruler of Corinth (Jason has come to the conclusion that this is necessary to protect Medea and his sons since she is a barbarian). With horrible vengence, she kills the bride and the king and then kills her two sons. Euripedes depicts how much passion and vengence can overcome not only individuals, but those who strive to be rational. Men (and governments) can't ignore the influence of emotion, and even irrationality, on their decisions and actions, even when those actions may seem rational and just. Man has to remain flexible. The play also shows how emotions, anger, and unbridled fury can cause a person to do stupid and irrational acts. Euripedes is undoubtedly warning Athens with respect to the war that is going on with Sparta.
A murderous mother, a vain princess, a selfish husband, two unfortunate children, a naïve friend, a foolish king, and an inactive chorus are the key players in Euripides' morbid tale of humanity.Euripides brilliantly masks his agenda with the unreal (dragon-drawn chariot, poisoned dress, witchcraft) but upon close observation one can see his desire to unveil real problems in the world he lived in. All of Euripides' characters represent their stations, personifying the failure Euripides saw with males, females, citizens, authorities, and more. Reading through at a normal speed one will walk away feeling gloomy and none the better from the reading. But taking the time to delve into the mutliple levels and hidden meanings, one will find this old classic to be a rewarding yet chilling reading. Don't pass this up - Euripides DELIVERS!
I've heard a few professors say that while the Dover Thrift Editions are very economical for cash-strapped college students, the translations are hit or miss. I've read some Dover editions of classical works for both classes and on my own and that's definitely true, but as someone interested in ancient literature (largely prose, but I like verse as well) and who has been constantly frustrated over the years with the very complex (to put it mildly) translations that have flooded the market in years past, Rex Warner's translation of the Greek tragedy Medea was not only easy to follow, but I just wanted to keep reading until I was finished - and was disappointed when it ended!So, yes, this is one Dover Thrift Edition where you get more for your money. - Donna Di Giacomo
Medea by Euripedes was a play I chose for my 2015 reading challenge. The play, with only 47 pages took about 1/2 hour to read. My first thought was.....doesn't the woman on the cover look like Salma Hayek?The play centers around Medea, a goddess who falls madly in love, emphasis on MADLY, with Jason. She gives up everything for this man. We're talking killing, stealing, betraying her father and home, the whole kitten caboodle. She has 2 sons by him then one day, bang........homeboy hooks up with this younger chick, leaves Medea and the kids and marries this home-wrecker. Say what???? Say it isn't so........ oh, it's so!To put icing on the cake, this home-wrecker's daddy (Creon) banishes her from the land. Allowed to stay one more day she plots her revenge and baby she went for it. Unfortunately her revenge is an act that would cost a lifetime of suffering not only her husband but herself as well.Medea, although a quick read, is very powerful. You will agree with Medea and understand her pain but will hate her for her decisions. Jason is a loser who tries to convince Medea that what he was doing was for a good reason. Let me tell you something, no one (woman) in there right mind would believe it. What's interesting is the mentality of both individuals. Medea was not afraid to show her emotions, whether sadness, fear or anger but Jason remained calmed and had no hatred towards her. She screamed at him, called him names, yet he thought they could still remain friends until the end.With no idea what this play was about or how it would turn out. I'm glad I chose it.
A revenge by a woman who is betrayed by her husband, her tragic fate with all possible disasters which can be destined for a human being. I was the only one in my high school English class that could actually understand where Medea was coming from. Perhaps, it was because, I too was going through a very bitter break up. But perhaps, because I'm just the sort of person who could understand someone like Medea.
Class requirement book I needed to read.>>>>>Warning harsh language/content/cursing in book
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