Medea

I find it curious that the famous Greek tragedy Medea is about a strong female character, given that women of ancient Greece were considered nothing more than slaves to their domestic duties, and were excluded from public performances and theatre. Written by a man, acted out by men and performed for male audiences only, Medea ironically brings to light the injustices of a male-dominated society. It is a tale of vengeance, of a woman who experiences dreadful betrayal and pursues her revenge to the extreme—and gets away with it!

As expected, the tragedy wasn’t well received when it was first performed in 431 BC but what intrigues me is Euripides, the playwright. Why did he choose to tell this classic myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece with a female protagonist? In his depiction of Medea, she is powerful, devoted, a heroic figure who takes matter into her own hands. She is a ruthless killer, but portrayed as a victim of the men in her life. Was Euripides simply using her to stir up controversy, to shock Athenian audiences, or was he actually making a statement?

Cherubini took up the same story years later for his opera Médée. It shared similar themes of gender inequality and injustice, and seemed to give a voice to those women who sought to be heard in Revolutionary France. But still, the story of Medea was ahead of its time. The opera failed to receive an enthusiastic response and only ran in Paris for 20 performances.

Euripides and Cherubini may not have received the recognition they deserved, but their goal wasn't for fame and glory. I believe they had a greater cause: to bring attention to the plight of women.

Today, Medea is recognised as one of Euripides’ greatest plays and Médée is the only opera of the French Revolution that is performed regularly around the world. Modern adaptations of this revenge tale and its message of female empowerment are found in popular music, literature and film. Amy Dunne in the crime thriller Gone Girl is present-day Medea, as she carries out cold, calculated revenge on her cheating husband. Cassie in Promising Young Woman shares the same unrestrained vengeance.

Medea is here to stay.