Medea

Medea is a Classical Roman tragedy, written by the philosopher and playwright Seneca around 50 CE. The play is an example of the “fabula crepidata” genre, meaning it draws on Greek mythology for its plot. The play recounts the story of Medea, a mythological figure famous for killing her own children as an act of revenge when her husband, Jason, betrays her. This myth had already been recounted by other Classical authors, such as Euripides and Ovid, before Seneca wrote his own adaptation. Medea and other tragedies by Seneca were translated into various European languages during the Renaissance and became very influential in the development of early modern drama. The play’s themes of revenge, betrayal, and dark magic have remained popular with audiences for centuries.

This study guide references the 2010 Oxford World’s Classics edition of Medea, translated by Emily Wilson.

Content Warning: The guide contains references to the violent death of children.

Plot Summary

The play begins in the Greek city of Corinth. Medea and her husband, Jason, have been living in Corinth with their two children. Jason has decided to leave Medea and marry the Corinthian princess Creusa, daughter of King Creon. Medea is enraged by this betrayal: in events that occurred prior to the action of the play, Medea left her homeland of Colchis to be with Jason. She gave up her wealth and status as a princess, and even killed her own brother in order to escape with Jason and his crew on a ship called the Argos. Moreover, Medea played a vital role in helping Jason and the other Greek heroes return safely home. Upon her arrival in Greece, Medea conspired to engineer the death of King Pelias of Iolcus. Due to her status as a foreigner and her role in these violent events, many people dislike and mistrust Medea.

As Medea becomes angrier with Jason, she begins to plot vengeance, even though her loyal Nurse urges her not to take rash action. King Creon announces he has sentenced Medea to exile for her crimes. Medea argues that this sentence is unjust, especially since Jason is not being held accountable. Creon concedes that he will give Medea one day to get her affairs in order and say goodbye to her children before she must leave Corinth. Instead of preparing to leave the city, Medea plots a bloody and dramatic revenge.

Jason comes to see Medea, arguing that he was pressured by Creon into marrying Creusa and didn’t really have a choice. He urges Medea to make peace with the situation and quietly leave Corinth. Medea reminds Jason of all the ways in which she has helped him, and asks if she can take their children with her. Jason refuses because he loves their sons too much to be separated from them. Medea pretends to be reconciled to her fate, but after Jason leaves, she explains her plan. Medea is going to use spells and poison to contaminate a cloak, necklace, and golden headband. She will give then these items to Creusa as a gift, and when Creusa puts them on, she will die an agonizing death.

Despite the Nurse pleading with her to stop, Medea uses witchcraft to prepare the poisoned items, and then sends them to Creusa. A messenger enters and explains that Creusa did indeed die due to the poison, and in his attempts to help his daughter, Creon was also poisoned and died. Medea rejoices in the success of her plan, but still feels unsatisfied. She decides to kill her two sons as the ultimate act of revenge. As Jason and several soldiers pursue her, Medea climbs onto a rooftop with her children. She kills one of the boys, and then decides to kill the second while Jason watches. Although Jason begs her to stop, Medea kills the second child. She then uses her magical powers to summon a chariot, and flies away from Corinth.