Medea and Other Plays (Oxford World's Classics) | 
| Author: Euripides
Creators: Edith Hall, James Morwood
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 630364
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 0.7
ISBN: 0192824422
Dewey Decimal Number: 882.01
EAN: 9780192824424
ASIN: 0192824422
Publication Date: November 19, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: some wear - marks
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Product Description
Euripides was one of the most popular and controversial of all Greek tragedians, and his plays are marked by an independence of thought, ingenious dramatic devices, and a subtle variety of register and mood. He is also remarkable for the prominence he gave to female characters, whether heroines of virtue or vice. This new translation does full justice to Euripides's range of tone and gift of narrative. A lucid introduction provides substantial analysis of each play, complete with vital explanations of the traditions and background to Euripides's world.
Contains: Medea; Hippolytus; Electra; Helen
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
daring, resonant, horrific, and (duh) mythical August 30, 2006
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I, too, was surprised how relevant and easily modern the issues presented in 'Medea' could be. I mean, gender, power, betrayal and revenge are universal and timeless, but Euripides' Medea is breaking all the rules: she's constantly exploding into feminist manifestos, seeking to (figuratively) neuter herself one moment and irradiating torrid womanpower the next, and spitefully slaughters her own family with impunity. In comparison to such a powerful character, the rest of the characters seem mere shades with vague wills and blurred senses of human values- except, perhaps, for Jason, who is so convinced of his own sexual superiority that he doesn't grasp what's going on until it's too late.
The whole thing seemed rather mythic to me, though not immediately because it's an ancient Greek fable with Furies and sun-gods and pervertedly creative murder weapons. I feel that the sheer amount of catharsis in the plotline (which, according to the notes, Euripides practically invented) makes it almost rudimentary and sensationalized. Why does Euripides (figuratively) transform the multifaceted Medea into a demon, rather than allowing her humanity and complexity to show through, perhaps even affirm her demonic actions? It's more daring to deify Medea, which is perhaps why the play seems to smack of modernity. But (to me, anyway) this seems to carve Medea into an archetype, lessening the value of the human realities of the play. It finishes like an allegory, and I think that limits it.
Strength of a Woman August 28, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Euripides' Medea is a story about a woman's heartbreak and the revenge she consequently seeks on her husband. After her spouse takes another wife Medea is torn apart, unable to distinguish right from wrong. She plots to kill the new wife and eventually Medea murders her own children, all in order to spite her former lover.
Euripides expresses the power of passion without reason especially when it comes to love. Medea is willing to kill her own children out of despair, although they are the only people she really has. She has feelings of trepidation before killing the children, revealing her humanity, but appears triumphant after completing the murders. She appears at the top of a building at the end of the show which is usually reserved for divine appearances (intro), which is a metaphor for Medea's strength and even her unyielding brutality, qualities that many deities were believed to possess.
I really enjoyed this play because of Euripides' representation of the woman. Although tragic, Medea's dramatic actions express her passion, stubbornness, power, as well as her godliness and simultaneous humanity.
 A modern suprise August 22, 2006
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I was pleasantly surprised when I was reading "Medea". About halfway through the play, I realized that the themes of revenge, depression, and female empowerment are still relevant. Infidelity and vengeance are things witnessed everyday: in movies, in the news, maybe even in our own lives. This string of themes proves further that human kind hasn't changed too much.
Though I did have some problems with the plot and some of the overdramatics. Medea revealed to the audience a vulnerable, passionate woman who has a bit of a drama problem and needs just a little too much attention. I think any reader can appreciate the pain she suffered and the disgusting way people in power dealt with her. But is there a line being far over-stepped by killing one's own children just to make a man feel guilty?
Though there is some undeniable hyperbole, it is a story a reader or audience member can empathize, and is totally plausible in a modern setting.
surprisingly modern August 22, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Having read a decent amount of classical poems and plays, I drew from previous experience and started "Medea" with the expectation of appreciating but not neccessarily loving it. But "Medea" pleasantly surprised me with its timeless story of a woman's revenge driven by her own selfish pride and the disgusting lengths she goes to hurt her husband. I found myself completely fascinated by Medea's manipulative antics and sociopathic tendencies. This play has definitely conquered time and remains thrilling a couple thousand years later with themes like betrayal, justice and honor which are still prevalent in modern stories. As a crime show junkie, I constantly drew parallels from recent story lines on a million shows on television to Medea's chilling story. I highly recommend this play.
Great Collection November 14, 2004
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I think this is one of the better compilations I've seen. I've really been impressed with all of the Oxford World's Classics series. The information given in the Introduction as well as the maps and reference materials mentioned are very helpful. In addition I like having the notes listed at the end of the compilation rather then interspersed, I find it less distracting that way. A must have for any Greek Literature Scholar.
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