... barbarian had no status in Greek society. Jason in Greek mythology was the archetypical male hero who put together the Argonauts and stole the Golden Fleece. Euripedes twists their positions and presents Medea as a woman scorned who enacts a cruel revenge with the strengths of traditional male characteristics; she says 'Let no one think of me/as humble or weak or passive; / let them understand I am of a different kind:/ dangerous to my enemies, / Loyal to my friends. / to such a life glory belongs.' Jason is helpless and weak, and eventually looses everything - including the right to bury his sons. Euripedes' unconventional representation of Medea has often been described as early feminism and was quoted by suffragettes. However, Euripedes wrote plays performed exclusively by males for a male audience, and he recreated Medea as the protagonist with strong male characteristics. However, as she is self absorbed ...

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