Looking at Medea: Essays and a translation of Euripides’ tragedy

Description

Euripides' Medea is one of the most often read, studied and performed of all Greek tragedies. A searingly cruel story of a woman's brutal revenge on a husband who has rejected her for a younger and richer bride, it is unusual among Greek dramas for its acute portrayal of female psychology. Medea can appear at once timeless and strikingly modern. Yet, the play is very much a product of the political and social world of fifth century Athens and an understanding of its original context, as well as a consideration of the responses of later ages, is crucial to appreciating this work and its legacy. This collection of essays by leading academics addresses these issues, exploring key themes such as revenge, character, mythology, the end of the play, the chorus and Medea's role as a witch. Other essays look at the play's context, religious connotations, stagecraft and reception. The essays are accompanied by David Stuttard's English translation of the play, which is performer-friendly, accessible yet accurate and closely faithful to the original. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements List of Contributors Foreword Introduction – Medea in Context Greek Drama – a brief history and some technicalities Athens in 431 BC Medea, a tragedy for its time The historical aftermath of Medea 1 Murder in the Family – Medea and Others Medea and the world of myth Medea paidoktonos (child-killer) Medea and the world of fifth-century Athens Conclusion: Medea in Athens and beyond 2 Medea Before and (a little) After Euripides 3 Otherness and Exile: Euripides’ Production of 431 BC Notes 4 Staging Medea Crying inside Creating chaos Enter the woman from Colchis Poisoned gifts Dying inside Serpents to Athens Conclusion Notes 5 The Nurse’s Tale* The involvement of the nurse The lost boys Sexual passion Class and realism The function of the nurse Notes 6 Re-evaluating Jason Notes 7 The Final Scene 8 ‘It Wouldn’t Happen Here . . . Could It?’ – Chorus and Collusion in Euripides’ Medea 9 Medea’s Vengeance Notes 10 Medea: Feminism or Misogyny? Marriage Medea and the ‘ordinary woman’ Women and song: ‘compensation for the female race’ The same old song Note on further reading 11 Divine and Human in Euripides’ Medea Notes 12 Black Medeas Euripides’ Medea Dramatis Personae Prologue Parodos Episode 1 Stasimon 1 Episode 2 Stasimon 2 Episode 3 Stasimon 3 Episode 4 Stasimon 4 Episode 5 Anapaestic Interlude Episode 6 Stasimon 5 Exodos Bibliography Index