Medea Quotations
Quotes
Explanation: Medea states women’s helplessness in a male-dominated world. Their lives depend on men and social laws. This makes them vulnerable.“We women are the most unfortunate.” (Medea)
Explanation: Medea recognises the horror of her deed but feels passion and rage overpower reason, the tragedy of passion over judgment.“I understand too well the dreadful act I’m going to commit, but my judgment cannot check my anger.” (Medea)
Explanation: A final, irrevocable resolve, she chooses the extreme act to wound Jason completely; the line shows cold deliberation.“I’ve made up my mind, my friends. I’ll do it—kill my children now, without delay.” (Medea)
“No, I’m a different sort—dangerous to enemies, but well disposed to friends.”
Explanation: Medea defines herself: fiercely loyal to those she loves, merciless to those who betray her, a moral polarity.
Explanation: A terse claim of power, Medea warns that her resources (magic, cunning) make her lethal to foes.“I'm ... dangerous to enemies.” (Medea)
Explanation: A moral/religious warning: acts against divine order (or sacred kin) invite dire consequences, theme of sacrilege and cosmic law.“It’s a fearful thing for men to spill the blood of gods.” (Chorus)
Explanation: Together, these lines reduce Medea’s tragic logic: full awareness + uncontrollable rage = catastrophic action.“I understand too well… but my judgment cannot check my anger.” / “I’ll do it—kill my children now.” (Medea)
Short explanation: The Chorus warns that killing those with divine blood (Medea’s children are Helios’s descendants) is sacrilegious and invites cosmic retribution.“It’s a fearful thing for men to spill the blood of gods.” (Chorus)
Short explanation: Jason utters a blunt, misogynistic generalisation. He blames women (and Medea in particular) for men’s troubles. The line exposes his insensitivity and helps justify Medea’s rage.“With no female sex … men would be rid of all their troubles.” (Jason)