Medea's Representation In Love and Heroism

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has character traits that define him as not only a hero, but also a leader. He has physical strength, is noble, courageous, confident, and has a thirst for glory. Medea's thirst is for a more personal glory: that of winning Jason's love. Odysseus' glory is wider in scale; battling with gods to return one day to his homeland. Medea appears to be rather impulsive, motivated by revenge, whereas Odysseus is sharp-witted and motivated by a desire for glory in battle and a subsequent return to his homeland. He does share with Medea the trait of manipulation. In Iolcus for example, Medea uses her skills to manipulate the daughters of the local king into killing their father in order to eliminate the rival (Beginning, Episode 2). Later she uses words to trick Jason into accepting the deadly gifts for his new bride (Episode 4). This can be compared with the episode where Odysseus addresses Nausicaa of Scheria (Book VI), and quickly wins her trust through his comforting ...

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more seeing Jason suffer as a result.

Another element that Medea and Odysseus share is character development. Medea, while equally murderous in both love and revenge, changes in her feelings towards Jason. Furthermore her sorrow at the betrayal evolves to become murderous revenge (End of Episode 1). In the end Medea, while losing both children and love, has regained at least part of her emotional well-being as a result. Odysseus' development again moves from glory-loving impulse to more composed and thought-inspired action. His impulsiveness shows when he reveals his identity to the Cyclops (Book IX), while evidence of his more tempered nature can be found in his reaction to ...

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