Medea

Medea is a tragedy written by Euripides, based on the myth of Jason and Medea and first produced in 431 BC. Along with the plays Philoctetes, Dictys and Theristai, which were all entered as a group, it won the third prize (out of three) at the Dionysia festival. The plot largely centers on the protagonist in a struggle with the world, rendering it the most Sophoclean of Euripides' extant plays. The play tells the story of the jealousy and revenge of a woman betrayed by her husband. All of the action of the play is at Corinth, where Jason has brought Medea after the adventures of the Golden Fleece but has now left her to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creon (Glance is also known in Latin works as Creusa - see Seneca the Younger's Medea and Properties 2.16.30). The play opens with Medea grieving over her loss and with her elderly nurse fearing what she might do to herself or her children. Creon, also fearing what Medea might do, arrives determined to send Medea into exile....