i chose "medea" euripides .Medea's fierce mental conflict and justification as she gets ready to avenge her husband Jason is a remarkable detail in the novel. Her speech demonstrates Euripides' examination of the intricacies of morality and human emotion while revealing the intensity of her anguish and rage. Medea's change from a devoted wife to a vindictive character emphasizes themes of justice, treachery, and the results of unbridled passion. Euripides examines issues of treachery, retaliation, and the deadly force of unbridled emotions in Medea. The play illustrates the complexity of human nature by demonstrating how profound hurt may skew one's moral sense through Medea's internal debate and her eventual deeds. The event raises questions about the perils of emotional extremes and the results of seeking revenge on oneself. The values and conflicts of Ancient Greek society are reflected in Medea, especially about marriage, women's duties, and retaliation. By illustrating the repercussions of treachery and the severe emotional upheaval that can result from personal grievances, Euripides draws attention to the power relations between men and women. The play also challenges conventional ideas of justice by depicting Medea's deeds as tragic and hideous, echoing Greek worries about striking a balance between passion and reason. Medea questions Greek society's expectations for women and conventional gender roles. Euripides offers voice to a woman who rejects social conventions, but other writings, such as The Rape of Lucretia or The Twelve Tables, emphasize moral obligation, social order, and the roles that women are required to play. Medea's acts demonstrate the darker side of human passion, especially when women are pushed past social norms. They demonstrate the potential for violence as well as the repercussions of losing control over one's complaints.I'd like to learn more about Euripides' handling of women in Greek tragedies and how Medea fits into his larger works.

The reading that I chose was from 'Antigone / Sophocles. I chose this reading because the story itself was interesting and the ending was deep. For example, what jumped out to me was when Creon realized what it all came down to, he states "I killed you, my son, without intending to,[1340] and you, as well, my wife. How useless I am now. I don’t know where to look or find support. Everything I touch goes wrong, and on my head fate climbs up with its overwhelming load". What the author was trying to convey here was how Creon realized that his pride was the downfall of his family. He followed through with his laws instead of the gods, and in the end the gods were angry at him. This tells us that during this time, the gods laws and authority must be above all which is why Creon suffered the consequences of his actions. This to related to the other readings that we read that included people worshipping gods and following their laws/ demands. I would like to find out about how the rest of Creons life played out after this.

I chose Euripides from Medea for this week's reading. I enjoyed this reading because of how dark the story of Medea was described in this. Medea gets so obsessed with vengeance against Jason that it leads to her downfall. One thing that really caught my interest was how in the beginning Medea starts explaining all the inequality and hardships women have to face in their lives compared to the men. "Of all things with life and understanding,[230]

we women are the most unfortunate.First, we need a husband, someone we get for an excessive price. He then becomes the ruler of our bodies. And this misfortune adds still more troubles to the grief we have. Then comes the crucial struggle: this husband we have selected, is he good or bad? For a divorce loses women all respect,

yet we can’t refuse to take a husband." And I found that so surprising and refreshing to see depicted in literature at that time. But because of this, Medea is viewed as a sorceress and as someone to avoid and fear for her stance against the societal norm for women. So when Jason betrayed Medea, she becomes so obsessed with his suffering hat she disregards her duties as a mother and as a women/matron of ancient greek society. So much so, that she even kills her children that she shares with him in hopes that he suffers forever. This was extremely surprising and shocking to me because she does indeed love and cherish her children but her hatred for Jason and her hurt runs so deep that she couldn't take it. I would love to read into Medea's story and character in way more depth.

The reading I chose for this week is Medea from EURIPIDES from, the reason I picked this reading is because it shows how evil womencan be after they have been betrayed. The detail that stands out most is Medea’s decision to kill her own children to get revenge on Jason. This is insanely evil to me because it shows just how deeply hurt and angry she is enough to do something unimaginable. The author, Euripides, wanted to show how betrayal and broken trust can push someone to do terrible things. Medea’s story shows how love can turn into intense hatred, leading her to hurt even the ones she loves most, like her own children. This document relates to women about this time and place as Medea is a strong woman who refuses to just accept her suffering, which challenges the typical expectations of women in ancient Greece. I would like to find out how the people of that time reacted to Medea’s unforgettable actions and to Euripides’ portrayal of a powerful, vengeful woman. 

First, we need a husband, someone we get 

for an excessive price. He then becomes 

the ruler of our bodies. And this misfortune 

adds still more troubles to the grief we have. 

Then comes the crucial struggle: this husband 

we have selected, is he good or bad? 

For a divorce loses women all respect, 

yet we can’t refuse to take a husband. 

Then, when she goes into her husband’s home, 

with its new rules and different customs 

I think this part of Medea’s speech to the nurse sums up much of what we have read concerning ancient women and their lives. The need for the female’s family to pay some form of dowry; one last expense for her male blood relative and a chance to offset the expenses of her new husband. Women were usually not afforded the chance to make their own living and would have relied on others for support. Medea says, even the body of a married woman does not belong to themselves, but rather to their husbands. Much of a woman’s life will depend on the type of husband she marries, as he ultimately will determine the agency she has within the marriage. While divorce can be possible as Medea says, a divorced women loses all respect in society, and she would revert to her father's care or the next closest male relative. A woman in ancient times would be expected to marry and have children. For most there would not be an option to say no, and the luckiest among at most may be given the choice between a few suitors. Even though women were seen as the fairer, weaker sex, they would also have been the ones expected to leave home for a foreign land to live with a practical stranger, before having to give birth, which could more deadly than going to war. Women in the ancient world were routinely sold off at a young age, to a husband who would double as master, while living in a foreign land, and being expected to bear children, a very dangerous task. Yet, they were seen as the fairer, weaker sex, when in fact they could have very difficult, dangerous, and hard lives. 

I picked the reading Euripides from Medea. I enjoyed it because it was extremely descriptive, and I could picture the scenes. You could feel the tension when Medea was deceiving Jason through the text. Of course, I had to pick the passage when Medea commits the worst act possible and murders her children. The murder scene of the royal family was also shockingly descriptive. “The flesh was peeling from her bones, chewed off by the poison’s secret jaws…” The vulgarity and the comparisons used to describe the deaths were just so illustrative. I believe the author was trying to show us how a mother could become so overtaken by her need for vengeance. So much to commit a mother’s worst nightmare and murder her children. From this reading, I perceived that women are commonly betrayed or make sacrifices like Medea and her homeland. These women are forced to accept their subordinate fate and it is unusual for women to retaliate. This document contradicts multiple accounts from other readings from this era. Women of this time do not get revenge. Like many other stories, they do get betrayed or the short end of the stick. But to deceive and fight back to this extreme is not something you would hear about coming from a loving mother/wife.

For this week's response, I have chosen "Medea" by Euripides. This work is a perfect example of how one's greed/lust for more can ultimately lead to one's downfall, as well as how far another will go to exact revenge. After learning her husband, the legendary hero Jason is planning on replacing her with a native Greek bride from Corinth, Medea murders their two sons as a way to make Jason suffer for his betrayal. I've picked this particular reading for its shocking themes and Medea going against said themes. For example, Medea claims that she would go into war (usually a male activity) three times over as opposed to dealing with children, seemingly emphasizing the struggles of being a mother, but despite this, she still commits filicide twice over. What intrigued me was the ending in which she (Medea), after murdering her sons, flies off in a divine chariot driven by what can only be described as "dragons."

This week response I chose to speak about Medea by Euripides, the reason I chose this reading because I felt like me understanding Medea and what she’s been through it justify her actions. In my opinion Medea embodies the saying “hell has no fury like a woman scorned” because of the betrayal she felt from her husband, King Creon and King Creon daughter. The betrayal was her husband leaving her for another woman and that other woman happens to be King Creon daughter.  With Medea suffering with injustice she expresses how women’s suffer as well. “Of all things with life and understanding, 

[230]we women are the most unfortunate.

First, we need a husband, someone we get

for an excessive price. He then becomes

the ruler of our bodies. And this misfortune

adds still more troubles to the grief we have. Then comes the crucial struggle: this husband

we have selected, is he good or bad? 

For a divorce loses women all respect,

yet we can’t refuse to take a husband.

Then, when she goes into her husband’s home,

with its new rules and different customs,

she needs a prophet’s skill to sort out the man

whose bed she shares. She can’t learn that at home.” This is a long passage but this stood out to me because you see how women’s were treated like a property, doesn’t have  freedom or chose in the matter. Women’s had to sacrifice a lot just to be married; like Medea she had to leave her family, her land and the life she lived to be with Jason who eventually realized he didn’t want her no more and decides to abandon her. Reading this I felt like the author tried to show what women’s goes through and the suffering they have to endure just to be a matron an if they’re no longer worthy to their husband the repercussions they might suffer. I also feel that the author was trying to show when you feel like you no longer have nothing to lose, you don’t care about the irrational behavior you’ll commit. This text comes from Ancient Greek time when women’s had a job to oblige by their husband. I would love to learn more about other women’s in Ancient Greek suffering the injustices like Medea and Clymenstra had to suffer due to their husband’s behavior. 

I chose Antigone because it delves into the tension between personal loyalty and public duty, especially within family bonds and the authority of the state. This theme feels timeless, echoing debates over justice, morality, and governance that are still relevant today. The passage where Antigone declares, "I’ll hate you if you’re going to talk that way. And you’ll rightly earn the loathing of the dead," stood out. Her conviction contrasts sharply with Ismene's fear, highlighting Antigone’s readiness to stand by her beliefs—even if it leads to her death. This moment reveals her profound sense of duty to divine law over human law, underscoring the extent of her courage and dedication to family honor.

Sophocles seems to be exploring the limits of human authority and the conflicts that arise when personal morals clash with societal laws. By presenting Antigone as a character who defies the king’s decree out of reverence for her family and religious customs, Sophocles may be questioning the extent to which leaders should wield power over moral and religious matters.

This text reflects a society where civic duty and loyalty to family and the gods were deeply intertwined. Ancient Greece was characterized by its reverence for the gods , and disobedience to divine law was often considered a transgression more serious than defying a ruler. Additionally, the play highlights gender expectations—Ismene’s hesitation reflects the traditional view of women as subordinate and constrained by societal roles. I'd like to explore how ancient Greek audiences would have interpreted the tension between divine and human law.

The reading I picked was Sophocles from Antigone, the reason I picked it was because it explores morality in terms of affecting your choices, especially legal choices. In this reading we see that Antigone does not care for the rules and laws that are placed upon her and that family matters more, this is a strong message as she's a young woman defying laws for what she believes is right. A passage that jumped out to me was "Zeus did not announce those laws to me." This declaration highlights her belief in divine law over human law, but also that she has morals on this situation and would back down within reason but she has not been given it.

I believe the author was trying to communicate that your core morals and values will always overwhelm what others believe, many humans will follow what they believe should be right if they are conforming and very minimally disagree, it takes a bold person to take stand and be brave. In my opinion this document is telling us about a time where defiance was not common and males rule was the highest rule of them all, but for some women it wasn't. This article does help and support what the readings we've read of this time as it shows that women were fed up of this and wanted to follow their hearts.

I wish to learn more about Antigone like how she was raised and what she believed in besides family is most important.

   I chose Euripides, "Medea" because it is a powerful exploration of human emotion and moral ambiguity, particularly from a female perspective. Medea’s journey from victim to vengeful force intrigued me, as it challenges traditional gender roles and offers a deep psychological portrait. A particularly striking passage is when Medea reflects on her loss and her plans for revenge. Her internal conflict between her love for her children and her desire for vengeance highlights the depth of her character and the emotional stakes of her actions.Euripides seems to communicate the devastating impact of betrayal and the extreme lengths to which individuals will go when pushed to their limits. He portrays the complexity of emotions that can lead to tragic outcomes, emphasizing both Medea’s pain and her empowerment through her choices.The play reflects the limitations placed on women in ancient Greek society, where they often lacked agency and were subject to the will of men. Medea's drastic actions can be seen as a commentary on the struggles women faced, revealing how societal constraints can drive individuals to extreme measures. "Medea" contrasts with other Greek tragedies that typically depict male heroes facing fate with honor. In contrast, Medea’s active choice to seek revenge complicates the notion of heroism, suggesting that moral ambiguity and the quest for agency are also central themes in this period’s literature.  I would like to learn more about the historical context of women in ancient Greece and how Euripides' portrayal of Medea reflects or challenges societal norms of the time. Additionally, exploring the play’s influence on feminist literature and its modern interpretations could provide deeper insights into its lasting impact.

The reading I chose to pick was Medea by Euripides. This reading interested me because it shows the dedication Medea took to have her vengeance just to make Jason suffer. The particular detail that jumped out at me is when Creon the king tells Medea that she will suffer her punishment with being exiled along either her children but Medea pleads and is able to convince Creon to let them stay at least for one day. It was at this particular moment you see Medea go from an “victim like role” of dealing with the hurt Jason has caused her with his betrayal to become merciless. 

What I think the author may have been trying to say is possibly to show the wrongs within the ancient world especially within Greece of their ways of life with Jason leaving Medea and their children to marry the princess to become an elite figure. What I think this document supports about this time is showing how men viewed women during the ancient world and how women if scorned can  retaliate in measures that can affect more than one person involved.  

For this week’s response I have chosen to analyze the primary source “Medea” from Euripedes. I have chosen to analyze this primary source because of the complex manner in which Medea is portrayed. In the reading Medea is being left by her husband Jason for Glauce which she believes to be the ultimate betrayal so she enacts her plan to take revenge. I found the depiction of Medea to be complicated and controversial. This is a result of both her outsider status in Corinth as well as her outspoken nature. I think that Medea’s character is unique for women in literature as she commits several heinous acts but there is also a tinge of humanity and sympathy in her character. The reading itself deals with complex themes such as justice, marriage, gender roles and otherness in Ancient Greece. I think the themes most personal to Medea’s character are her otherness and gender roles. The theme of justice particularly old justice vs new justice stands out, as Medea approaches betrayal by invoking old justice, which is vengeance rather than abiding by human laws which is new justice. I find that the presentation of the themes in the story as well as the moral ambiguity of all the characters was polarizing and interesting.

This reading from Medea by Euripides intrigued me because of the depth of Medea’s voice in expressing her grief and anger over Jason's betrayal and the oppressive constraints placed on women in ancient Greek society. The passage that jumped out most was her comparison of childbirth to warfare, where she claims she would rather face battle three times over than endure the pains and vulnerabilities of motherhood. This line is powerful for its reversal of expected gender roles, portraying women's domestic struggles as equally arduous, if not more so, than men’s battles. Euripides seems to communicate the pervasive injustices women faced both societal and relational. Medea’s address to the women of Corinth functions almost as a manifesto on the feminine condition, offering insight into the limited autonomy Greek women experienced and the heavy price of dependence on male partners. This passage makes me curious about how other women’s voices were expressed in Greek literature and society. I’d like to explore more about the historical context of Euripides’ work, particularly any indications that his portrayal of Medea’s struggle against societal norms resonated with or challenged contemporary Athenian audiences.