Medea how does creon die

The Nurse fears for everyone's safety: she knows the violence of Medea's heart. The Tutor brings the children back into the house. The Chorus of Corinthian women enters, full of sympathy for Medea. They ask the Nurse to bring Medea out so that they might comfort her; the unfortunate woman's cries can be heard even outside the house. The Nurse complies. Medea emerges from her home, bewailing the harshness with which Fate handles women. She announces her intention to seek revenge.

She asks the Chorus, as follow women, to aid her by keeping silent. The Chorus vows. Creon not to be confused with the Creon of Sophocles' Theban cycle , king of Corinth and Jason's new father-in-law, enters and tells Medea that she is banished.

She and her children must leave Corinth immediately. Medea begs for mercy, and she is granted a reprieve of one day. The old king leaves, and Medea tells the Chorus that one day is all she needs to get her revenge. Jason enters, condescending and smug. He scolds Medea for her loose tongue, telling her that her exile is her own fault. Husband and wife bicker bitterly, Medea accusing Jason of cowardice, reminding him of all that she has done for him, and condemning him for his faithlessness.

Jason rationalizes all of his actions, with neatly enumerated arguments. Although he seems to have convinced himself, to most audience members Jason comes off as smug and spineless.

He offers Medea money and aid in her exile, but she proudly refuses. Jason exits. Aegeus , king of Athens and old friend of Medea's, enters. Aegeus is childless. Medea tells him of her problems, and asks for safe haven in Athens. She offers to help him to have a child; she has thorough knowledge of drugs and medicines.

Aegeus eagerly agrees. If Medea can reach Athens, he will protect her. Medea makes the old king vow by all the gods. With her security certain, Medea tells the Chorus of her plans. She will kill Jason's new bride and father-in-law by the aid of poisoned gifts. To make her revenge complete, she will kill her children to wound Jason and to protect them from counter-revenge by Creon's allies and friends.

Many scholars now believe that the murder of Medea's children was Euripides' addition to the myth; in older versions, the children were killed by Creon's friends in revenge for the death of the king and princess.

The Chorus begs Medea to reconsider these plans, but Medea insists that her revenge must be complete. Jason enters again, and Medea adapts a conciliatory tone. She begs him to allow the children to stay in Corinth. For one, her husband, Jason, has married another woman, Glauke, daughter of Creon the King of Corinth.

On top of that, Creon banishes Medea and her two sons from Corinth. Medea, however, is not the kind of woman to take such mistreatment lying down. She swears bloody revenge and swiftly sets about finding a way to kill them all. First, she convinces Creon to let her stay one more day in Corinth. It goes against his better judgment, but he allows it out of pity for Medea's two sons. This gives Medea enough time to put her plot into motion. Next Medea has to secure a safe place to retreat to once she's committed the murders.

By an incredibly lucky coincidence, Aegeus, King of Athens, happens by. Medea promises to cure his sterility if he swears to give her safe harbor. Of course, she neglects to mention she's about to kill a bunch of people. Now that Medea has the time and a safe place to retreat to, she can really get to work. She snookers Jason into believing that she's now cool with his new marriage. Medea begs her husband to ask Glauke if their two sons can stay in Corinth. This gives Medea enough time to put her plot into motion.

Why does Jason chose Glauce to be married to? She is a princess; he might gain power and wealth. To stay and make arrangements for her sons; was really going to make a plan to kill Glauce and her sons. He is afraid Medea will hurt his daughter, who is marrying Jason He has heard she has made threats against him He tells her she is the cause of her own banishment by speaking against the King Pleading with Aegeus for sanctuary in Athens, Medea offers him a gift in exchange—magical drugs that can restore his fertility.

Aegeus seals his promise to offer Medea refuge with an oath before the gods. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Why is Medea so upset? Ben Davis May 29,