Is Medea a Tragic Hero?
Medea should be considered a tragic hero. Medea is a Princess
so she has a noble birth. Medea has an admirable character because
she loves her children, and Jason so much. Jason cheating on her
brings about her peripeteia. Her hamartia is that she
hates so strongly she's willing to wreck her whole life to get what
she wants. Medea’s anagnorsis is
when she realizes that she has been struck by Cupid's arrow, and she
has not been in control of her life.
Medea is admirable because she is a
strong, loving woman. Medea loves her children, and Jason more than
anything in the world. She is willing to do anything to make Jason
happy. Jason leaves her for another woman anyway.
Jason, abandoning her and the children,
brings about Medea’s peripeteia,
or reversal of fortune. Jason is selfish, and wants to raise his
social standing. He marries the Kings beautiful young daughter, and
allows the King to banish Medea. Medea has done so much for Jason,
and his betrayal destroys her.
Medea’s hamartia, or flaw, is that she is willing to do anything to get her revenge on
Jason. Medea is so blinded by hate and rage that she kills Jason’s
new wife, the King and both of her own children. Medea says “ I
have done it: because I loathed you more than I loved them. Mine is
the triumph.” (Medea, lines 326-327).
Medea’s anagnorsis
is when she realizes the truth of her tragic situation. Medea
started her life as a strong, powerful woman. She was struck by
Cupid's bow so she had no choice but to fall in love with Jason. She
lost control of her life because of her great love for Jason. She
had a sudden, powerful recognition once Jason abandoned her that it
was all a lie. The gods are on Medea's side because they sent her a
chariot pulled by dragons to allow her to escape.
Medea has all five qualities of a
tragic hero. The audience of this play has an emotional response
bringing about their katharsis. Medea was a strong woman
before she met Jason. The gods saved her by allowing her escape so
Medea can be a strong character again in her new home.
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