![]() ![]() The Greeks were fascinated by the thin line between greatness and hubris. ![]() Like the Chorus, we watch Medea with a mixture of horror and excitement. And like Medea, we have fantasized about the satisfaction of a perfect revenge. But part of Medea's appeal is its power as a revenge fantasy just like Medea, all have at one time or another been beset by enemies whose power is institutionally protected and unfair. She murders her own children, paradoxically, to protect them from the counter-revenge of her enemies she also kills them to hurt Jason, although in slaying them she is dooming herself to a life of remorse and grief. Medea is willing to sacrifice everything to make her revenge perfect. The seductive appeal of revenge is part of the play's enduring popularity. Medea is an example of passion carried too far, in a woman perversely set on choosing rage over mercy and reason. ![]() The Greeks were very interested in the extremes of emotion and the consequences of leaving emotion unchecked they also tended to see strong passion and rage as part and parcel of greatness. Her violent and intemperate heart, formerly devoted to Jason, now is set on his destruction. But his betrayal of her has transformed passion into rage. For her passionate love for Jason, she sacrificed all, committing unspeakable acts on his behalf. Medea is a woman of extreme behavior and extreme emotion. ![]()
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