Genderl Roles in Literature

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Characters who violate social norms and expectations often create gender roles by illustrating how individuals should not act. In Euripides’ Medea and Disney’s “the Little Mermaid” the characters Medea and Ursula violate numerous social norms through their actions and, in Ursula' case her appearance. By doing this they create an image of what a woman should not be. The two are portrayed as lonely middle-aged women who have failed to nurture children, attempted to interfere with marriage, and ultimately act without male influence. In both works, Medea and Ursula’s actions are seen as wrong because of the reactions from the other characters, which is generally fear and discomfort. These reactions allow the audience to also see their actions as wrong and then create a definition of what is right. Although there are differences in the physical appearance of the two characters as well as their final outcome, the two women are portrayed, as everything a woman should not be e, i.e. jealous, childless, women who are independent and emotional.
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” tells the story of a young mermaid Ariel, who wishes to live on land with her love, Prince Eric. She learns from a sea witch, Ursula that the only way she will be able to do that is if she is given legs. (Livingston18) In return for her voice, Ursula agrees to grant her legs but ultimately tricks Ariel by telling her if she does not kiss the prince after three days then she will belong to Ursula. (Livingston18) In the end, Prince Eric kills Ursula and marries Ariel. Unlike Euripides’ Medea, the director’s of the Disney movie chose to create a physical appearance that failed to comply with society’s expectations in order to create the ideal image of a woman. In the movie,...

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...tude of the chorus signify that her actions are not accepted. For example, Conacher states that the attitude of the chorus shifts after “Medea announces the awful means by which she plans to take vengeance on her husband.” (Conacher191) Similar to “The Little Mermaid” the opinion of the chorus in Medea corresponds with how these women act versus how women should act.

Works Cited
1. Conacher, D. J. "The Medea." Euripidean Drama; Myth, Theme and Structure.
Toronto: University of Toronto, 1967. 187-95. Print.
2. Grube, G. M. A. The Drama of Euripides. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1961. 150-57.
Print.
3. McDermott, Emily A. "Medea Teknophonos: The Sources." Euripides' Medea: The
Incarnation of Disorder. University Park: Pennsylvania State UP, 1989. 10-11. Print.
4. Murray, Gilbert. "The Medea." Euripides and His Age. London: Oxford UP, 1965. 50-
57. Print.

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