How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Paul Roche's translation.
Quote #1
Nurse: Jason has betrayed his sons and [Medea], takes to bed a royal bride. (22-23)
This is the inciting incident of the play. Jason's betrayal of Medea's bed causes all of the horrific things that follow. How much accountability does he have in the deaths at the end of the play?
Quote #2
Medea: Woman, on the whole, is a timid thing:
[…] but, wronged in love,
there is no heart more murderous. (31)
Jason's betrayal has unleashed a primal rage in Medea. Here she suggests that all women get just as vengeful when wronged by their man. Though there are many Jerry Springer episodes to support this statement, it seems like a bit of a stereotype to us.
Quote #3
Medea: I can unload some venom from my heart
and you can smart to hear it.
To begin at the beginning, […]
I saved your life (60)
Medea's rage at Jason's betrayal is deepened by the fact that she's done so much for him. If it wasn't for her, he never would've gotten the Golden Fleece and would never have achieved epic hero status. Ironically, it's this status that made him a worthy mate for Creon's daughter.