Medea is a name familiar to everyone. The associations vary but we all know her to be the murderess of her children. This article presents the myth of Medea, the different legends and literary works, the literary history and the many changes in the portrayal of her story and character. The interpretations of her myth in different eras throws a light on our collective understanding of a figure contested throughout the ages. While Euripides allegedly introduces the child-murder as an act of revenge, the new feminist-oriented works try to lift the accusation of child-murder from Medea’s shoulders. Deconstructing the archetype of ‘mother’, French feminism discusses the notion of a patriarchal system of thought which systematically puts woman in the passive, silenced place of ‘the other’. What Medea becomes in the light of such philosophical thought is analysed here.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Myth of Medea
3. Euripides
4. Medea after Euripides
5. Medea, the Powerful
6. Hecate, Triple Goddess
7. Medea, the Terrible Mother
8. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the evolution of the Medea myth from its ancient roots to modern re-interpretations, specifically analyzing the character through the lens of French feminist philosophy and the archetype of the "terrible mother." The core objective is to deconstruct how Medea moves from a silenced, patriarchal object to an autonomous subject who regains power through transgressive acts.
- Deconstruction of the "mother" archetype in patriarchal thought.
- Historical transition of Medea's portrayal from divine sorceress to murderess.
- Analysis of Medea's agency in the context of French feminist theory (Kristeva, Irigaray).
- The significance of Medea’s association with the goddess Hecate and the "crone" archetype.
- The dichotomy between the "civilized" Greek world and the "barbarian" realm of Colchis.
Excerpt from the Book
Medea, the Terrible Mother
The ‘terrible mother’ is the threat to patriarchy. Reversing the ideal of ‘Mary’, and rejecting the position of Eve, ‘Medea’ becomes the ‘dark’ aspect of the mother; the role in which she rules over life and death.
Afraid to be annihilated, consumed by the mother, patriarchal society has turned the terrible mother into a taboo; some claim this taboo to be as vital to civilised society as the taboo of incest; exchanging women between families as a matter of payment to prevent incest and thus furthering a civilised society sounds simply unreal but, as Irigaray argues, ‘what assures [the hierarchical order of patriarchal society’s] foundation, is thus the exchange of women’. Now imagine a woman who is not only unwilling to be exchanged herself but who also claims her children to be un-exchangeable. Be these children male or female, she is unwilling to part with them and hand them over to the ‘law of the father’ to be negotiated over and ‘sold’ to back up a corrupt social system. The woman who is to be the price of so many transactions looses her value if she resists her ‘destiny’. Imagine the mirror talking back and professing a liking for life outside the reflection. Imagine the muse painting a picture herself. The terrible mother symbolises everything which undermines the patriarchal order.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of Medea's myth and establishes the framework of French feminism, specifically utilizing the theories of Kristeva and Irigaray to analyze the archetype of motherhood.
The Myth of Medea: Details the origins of the legend within the story of the Argonauts and identifies key motifs such as Medea's "otherness," her divine lineage, and her position as an autonomous woman.
Euripides: Analyzes the depiction of Medea in the 413 BCE tragedy, focusing on the conflict between civilization and barbarism and the emergence of child-murder as a central, defining motif.
Medea after Euripides: Tracks the evolution of the character through Ovid, Seneca, the Middle Ages, and into the 20th century, highlighting how re-interpretations have shifted focus toward Iason's infidelity or Medea's complete absolution.
Medea, the Powerful: Examines Medea's agency and power, arguing that her ability to rule over life and death threatens the patriarchal order and forces her to exist outside of societal laws.
Hecate, Triple Goddess: Investigates the connection between Medea and the goddess Hecate, exploring the "crone" archetype and the rejection of submissive, idealized motherhood.
Medea, the Terrible Mother: Argues that the "terrible mother" is a necessary taboo in patriarchal structures, positioning Medea as a figure who reclaims her autonomy by refusing to be a passive vessel.
Conclusion: Summarizes the transformation of Medea from a victim to a self-initiated subject, concluding that her aggression serves as a catalyst for her regained autonomy.
Keywords
Medea, French feminism, Julia Kristeva, Luce Irigaray, archetype, terrible mother, patriarchy, mythology, Euripides, autonomy, motherhood, child-murder, Hecate, Colchis, gender studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
This work explores the literary and philosophical evolution of the Medea myth, specifically analyzing how the character has been interpreted across different historical epochs and through the lens of French feminist theory.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central themes include the construction of the "mother" archetype, the conflict between patriarchal "civilization" and "barbarism," the concept of the "terrible mother," and the struggle for female agency.
What is the core research question?
The paper asks how Medea’s story can be understood within the context of French feminism and how her transgressive actions can be viewed as an attempt to reclaim autonomy and subjecthood.
Which theoretical frameworks are applied?
The author utilizes philosophical insights from Simone de Beauvoir (The Second Sex), Julia Kristeva (Stabat Mater), and Luce Irigaray (Speculum) to deconstruct traditional representations of women.
What is the role of the "terrible mother" in this analysis?
The "terrible mother" represents a threat to patriarchal control because she rejects the passive, sacrificial role typically assigned to mothers and instead claims power over life and death.
How is Medea's power portrayed in the different versions mentioned?
Medea's power is initially associated with her divine lineage and sorcery, but later shifts to become a form of psychological autonomy that the patriarchal world deems threatening and "barbaric."
How does the author interpret Medea's murder of her children?
Rather than solely viewing it as an act of revenge against Iason, the author interprets the murder as a drastic, transgressive act that allows Medea to break her ties with the patriarchal social order and regain her original state of power.
How does the author use the figure of Mary in this work?
Mary is presented as the "enslaved" antithesis to Medea, serving as the patriarchal archetype of a silenced, passive vessel who has been drained of all potential power.
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- Dr.phil. J.S. Morgane (Autor:in), 2008, Interpreting Medea, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/148601
