Who Is Euripedes True Misogynist

Euripedes: True Misogynist or Proponent for Women’s Power?
According to the dictionary, Misogyny is defined as having a hatred for women. The word itself is originated from the Greek word mysoginia, which is apt because the play Medea was written by Euripedes, a Greek man. For hundreds of years, the world was run based on a patriarchal society, meaning, run solely by men; most likely being the reason why misogyny came about. Euripedes’s Medea, can be construed to have misogynistic undertones at some points in the play, but overall, it seems quite apparent that Euripedes wasn’t truly a complete misogynist because of the way he glorified and portrayed Medea’s strong character.
In the play, although there were some scenes where women were outright scorned, (ie. the scene where Jason mentioned that women were unnecessary beings) the overall care and handling that Euripedes put into Medea’s character showed that he truly did believe that women could be powerful. “I will take them away myself / and bury them with this hand” (Euripedes 1427-8). In this scene, Medea is talking to Jason and she is telling him that she herself will bury her own children even if she has to suffer being with their lifeless bodies. That, coupled with the fact that she

killed her own children, show that although she was vicious, she was able and willing to do whatever it took to enact her revenge on Jason.

She goes on to reveal what her plans for the future are, “I myself will go /

to live together with Pandion’s son / Aegeus, in Erechtheus’s city” (Euripedes 1434-6). Medea is just moving on with her life and not showing any remorse for what she had done. She felt victorious because she had caused Jason the utmost pain, thus achieving her goal of making his life hell. Because she is able to just go forth from this situation shows that Medea’s character is strong-willed and she has proven to be a very formidable opponent to anyone who wronged her. Which ultimately shows that Euripedes believed that women could be powerful, they could go on to do big things (although in this case Medea’s power proved that she would always and forever be a murderous barbarian).
In many ways, it can be argued that Euripedes used Medea’s powerful character as a representation of the evil nature of women and how crazy they can get when wronged, which clearly is a misogynistic viewpoint because it makes women seem like a big threat to society. Among other traits, Medea can mostly be characterized as having a one track mind--she didn’t care for casualties or any consequences of her actions, she just did what she did all for her revenge. “(Jason) You are loathsome / You murdered your children / (Medea) Get out of here, go--/ go bury your wife/ [...] (Medea) Do you think you’re mourning (the children) now / Just wait till you’re old” (Euripedes 1442-5, 1448). This shows that even though Jason is just asking to see his slain children, Medea does not even budge on that. She will not give him the satisfaction of grieving over his children, she wants to make sure he is as tormented and depressed as she was when he left her. This fierce attitude that Medea has, shows that a woman who is wronged is not someone to mess with. Although she is murderous and a major threat, Medea’s dedication to achieving her goal can also be seen as commendable: she has a goal, she works towards that goal, gives up everything for it, and she achieves it. Which ultimately makes it seem as though Euripedes’ overall big picture is that women are smart, cunning, and sometimes vicious, but their voracity and strength knows no bounds, and that can either be a good or bad thing depending on the situation.
Euripedes’ Medea as a whole is not a fully misogynistic play, it has parts where women are being shown contempt, but it also paints them in such a light that makes them look strong, courageous, and able to take care of their own business. Overall, the play exemplifieshatred towards women, but also respect for the power of women, one does not overshadow the other, they are both apparent. Which begs to question whether or not Euripedes was truly a misogynist. The scene outlined above, where Medea is showing no remorse for her actions and making Jason suffer, is truly an important scene in this play. It shows what great lengths Medea went through to make Jason pay for being hungry for power and leaving her for someone else, but it also proves to be an example of her character and truly how strong and willful she was. With strength, with power, with the willingness to do anything, a woman with a goal can do whatever task she sets her mind to.