Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best known tragedy of Euripedes., June 17, 1999
This play is regarded by many as Euripedes' masterpiece and should be required reading of all educated people. It retells the tragic story of Medea, who had helped Jason in his quest, became his wife, gave him two sons, and feels betrayed since he is marrying the daughter of the ruler of Corinth (Jason has come to the conclusion that this is necessary to protect Medea and his sons since she is a barbarian). With horrible vengence, she kills the bride and the king and then kills her two sons. Euripedes depicts how much passion and vengence can overcome not only individuals, but those who strive to be rational. Men (and governments) can't ignore the influence of emotion, and even irrationality, on their decisions and actions, even when those actions may seem rational and just. Man has to remain flexible. The play also shows how emotions, anger, and unbridled fury can cause a person to do stupid and irrational acts. Euripedes is undoubtedly warning Athens with respect to the war that is going on with Sparta.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Euripides Ensemble, May 31, 2005
A murderous mother, a vain princess, a selfish husband, two unfortunate children, a naïve friend, a foolish king, and an inactive chorus are the key players in Euripides' morbid tale of humanity.Euripides brilliantly masks his agenda with the unreal (dragon-drawn chariot, poisoned dress, witchcraft) but upon close observation one can see his desire to unveil real problems in the world he lived in. All of Euripides' characters represent their stations, personifying the failure Euripides saw with males, females, citizens, authorities, and more. Reading through at a normal speed one will walk away feeling gloomy and none the better from the reading. But taking the time to delve into the mutliple levels and hidden meanings, one will find this old classic to be a rewarding yet chilling reading. Don't pass this up - Euripides DELIVERS!
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13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hell Hath No Fury..., December 8, 2001
"Medea" is a classical work that many have heard of, but few have actually read. It is the story of the wife of Jason, leader of Argonauts, and her chilling plot of revenge against an unfaithful husband and his new child-bride. The play is short, concise, and powerfully unnerving. Whether this is a history of misogyny or a warning of the vengeance of a wronged woman is a matter better left to scholarly debate. Provocative, disturbing, and at times heartbreaking, this is a definite must-read for neo-Classicists and avid readers alike. Not to be missed.
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