Stone Cold Crazy

Medea is certainly stone cold crazy, that's for sure...

Responsibility

One of the notable themes in Medea is, "Human beings are responsible for their own misfortune."  The idea is that actions, whether they were deliberate or not, come with consequences. These consequences must be recognized and dealt with.  

All of the characters in Euripides Medea fail to take responsibility for their own actions.  For example, Jason abandons Medea.  This causes cataclysmic events to himself and those around him. However, Jason never acknowledges that he is, at the very least, partly to blame for the results that occur.  Instead, he wishes they never happened.  

Medea accuses Jason for being at fault for the death of their children.  Even though Medea herself was the murderess, she insists that because Jason broke his oath he drove her to kill their sons.  She says that it is ultimately Jason's fault.  Medea never accepts any blame for what she does.  

Jason and Medea's actions lead to their own misery.  Although, they refuse to accept the consequences that their actions bring.  The entire play consists of Medea searching for revenge.  She does get her vengeance.  But everything intended to make Jason feel horrible also makes her feel horrible.  By the end of the play, both characters have made themselves miserable. Neither Jason nor Medea hold themselves accountable for their own misery, a misery in which they themselves ultimately caused.  

Medea by Euripides is a fantastic example of the theme, "Humans are responsible for their own misery," due to this.  

Medea's Escape

Something has just been seen that will surely never occur again in the history of Corinth.  

Just moments ago, Jason arrived to confront Medea.  He proclaimed he was also there to rescue his boys from punishment for Medea's crimes in killing Creon and Glauce.  It wasn't long before Jason was informed if his children's demise.  He was shocked to find out that it was their own mother who so heartlessly drew their blood.  Jason entered a blind rage, determined to kill Medea for all she had done.  But before his attendants could manage to open the doors, Medea appeared.  

Now here's the crazy part:  Medea was riding a golden chariot.  This chariot was a gift from Helios, her father's father.  It was drawn by dragons.  Medea spoke down to Jason, refusing to give up the bodies if her dead sons.  Jason, in his fury, called her a wicked mother and wished her dead.  He wanted the bodies of his children so he could bury them properly, and Medea wouldn't even grant him this.  Jason insulted his mad wife.  Among other things, he called her a traitor to her home land and a loathed woman.  It was clear that Jason regretted ever taking her to Greece.  

Medea accused Jason that is was his fault that his sons were dead.  If he had not broken his oath to her, the boys would still be alive.  Medea escaped, presumably to Athens.  She leaves Corinth questioning.  Did Jason deserve what he got?  Did Medea?  

The Rumors Were True

It turns out that the rumors were true.  Medea did, in fact, murder her own children.  She has now killed her brother, betrayed her father, caused Jason's uncle's death, poisoned Glauce and Creon, and now she has finally gone off the deep end and brutally murdered her children.  

The shocked citizens wonder what could have possessed her to commit such a vicious act.  Many speculate it was to get back at Jason.  How could a mother slay her own children?  It is an unfathomable misfortune that befell those poor boys.  

The reports say that Medea hesitated.  She did not want to kill her children.  But that doesn't matter.  She went through with it, probably to cause Jason pain.  Well, the joke is on her.  She has most likely caused herself pain in the process.  How could a woman be so blinded by a thirst for vengeance that she would be driven to do such a thing?  

It is certain now.  Medea has indeed completely lost her marbles.  After what she has done there's no hope left for her.  I wonder, would Aegus have agreed to shelter her if he had known what she was planning to do?  The homicide was surely premeditated.  Jason has yet to find out about his deceased children.  What will he do to Medea, now that she has taken everything from him?  

A Sad Day in Corinth

Breaking news!  Turns out those gifts Medea had her children deliver were dangerous.  In fact, they were poisoned.  

When the Princess Glauce first saw the children, she refused to take the presents.  Jason convinced her to take them, though.  I'm betting he sure regrets that now.  Soon after Glauce tried on the golden dress and diadem, she began flaming at the mouth.  She fainted, and her diadem burst into flames!  Glauce burned to death.  She attempted to rip the dress and diadem from her body, but they stuck.  It wasn't long before she was unrecognizable.  No one dared to touch her.  

Only, King Creon didn't realize what had happened when he rushed in.  As soon he touched his daughter, he began the same horrible process of dying.  So not only has the Princess Glauce died, but King Creon as well.  This is a sad day for the citizens of Corinth. 

But it will be a worse day for Medea soon enough.  It could only be her that killed the royals.  What fate lies for her?  Surely the only course of action is to execute her.  I suppose we'll see soon, as the spies have told me that Jason is on his way to his old home to confront Medea. 

Suspicion

Citizens have stepped forward recently with some terrifying stories.  Now, some accounts have gotten out of hand.  There was one woman, whose name shall not be disclosed, who claimed that Medea was preparing to perform a voodoo witch ceremony that involved sacrificing half of Corinth's population to Hecate. 
Another reportedly said he saw Medea conversing with Nemesis, the Greek goddess of revenge.  

While these particular tales seem a little glamorized, all accounts have one similar theme.  All of these citizens had personally seen Medea by her house, plotting for revenge.  But it isn't Jason she allegedly vowed to kill.  No, it is her own two young children Medea plans to murder.  Medea was spotted lamenting about her unfaithful husband.  Now, all of Corinth knows that Medea has been...upset lately, too put it lightly.  If I'm being frank here, she has been utterly off her rocker.  After Jason left her, she's been acting scary.  By 'scary' I mean homicidal.  But would she go as far to kill her own children?  It's no secret Medea is dying for vengeance against Jason.  But ultimately, this would hurt her more than it would pain him, right?  

Personally, I don't think Medea will be able to go through with it. She's bonkers, but not that far gone.  What mother could kill her own flesh and blood?  Let's hope Medea will simply leave Corinth in peace.  That is possible, right?  

What is Going On?

Out of all the unbelievable things, this seems the most suspicious. Medea has spoken with Jason and apologized.  That's right, apologized.  She claimed that he was right in marrying Glauce. She told him that she forgave him and that her reaction was foolish. Sure, it was over-dramatic, but do you honestly think Medea believes that?  She even proceeded to beg, truly admonish Jason to allow her children to remain in Corinth.  

Jason, being the gullible man he is, didn't even question Medea's actions.  He promised to request the king that his kids should stay. Now, even more suspicious, Medea has sent her kids to the palace. They are offering gifts to Princess Glauce to win her favor.  The presents are a gorgeous golden dress and a matching diadem.  This seems like a peaceful gesture, but I don't think so.  What is Medea planning?  Even if the gifts are actually given in kindness, will she really leave her children in Corinth with her half-wit of a cheating husband?  

I believe Medea is up to her old tricks.  Who knows what she could be planning?  She is certainly conniving enough to get away with whatever it is.  Let's only hope that King Creon catches her before her vengeance is complete.  Otherwise, he may be left without a daughter or a kingdom.