Is it all Greek to you? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here’s a little bit of Medea’s history and backstory to help you navigate through this ancient, but fascinating story.
A Little Family History
Not only a princess, Medea was the grand-daughter of the Sun God Helios and the niece of the witch Circe. She gave up her family and homeland for her beloved Jason and used her magical powers to help him and the Argonauts on their quest.
You’re from Where?
Medea’s homeland, Colchis, is an island Kingdom in the Black Sea, which the Greeks considered the edge of the earth and to barbarians and fantastical creatures.
Golden Boy
Ever hear the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece? Yeah, this Jason is the very same one, and he wouldn’t have gotten that Golden Fleece without Medea’s help. He owes her a solid.
But Did She Really Want To
According to the myth, it was the goddesses Hera and Aphrodite that conspired to help Jason get that fleece. They convinced Eros to shoot Medea with a love arrow so that she had no choice but to fall in love with Jason.
Happily Ever After?
The events of play take place nearly 10 years after Jason and Medea wrapped up their wild, high seas adventures with the Argonauts.
Tragic Past
Did you know this about Greek drama? Tragedies almost always deal with stories from a mythic past, while comedies drew their plots and situations from contemporary figures and problems.
A Friend Indeed
Who was Medea’s second husband after Jason? Her buddy Aegeus, the King of Athens, who offered to give her protection when she was at her lowest.
Watchers at the Edge
The Chorus in Greek drama is physically separated from the main events, but always within hearing distance of the central characters. They comment and interpret the actions, but don’t intervene or interact.
He Was a Bit of a Loner
Euripides is said to have written his plays in a ten-chambered cave now known as the Cave of Euripides.
The Big Greek Trio
One of the three major Greek tragedians that included Sophocles and Aeschylus, Euripides was known for creating fully developed female characters and for plays that centered on internal psychological conflict rather than on destiny driven dramas.