In the play by Euripides how is Medea portrayed– as heroic or tragic ? Discuss with reasons supporting your view. Or, Explain the features of Greek tragedy that you can identify in Medea. Or, Critically analyse the character of Medea in Euripides’s play. Is she a tragic or a heroic figure ? Give reasons.

In the play by Euripides how is Medea portrayed– as heroic or tragic ? Discuss with reasons supporting your view.

Or, 

Explain the features of Greek tragedy that you can identify in Medea.

Or,

Critically analyse the character of Medea in Euripides’s play. Is she a tragic or a heroic figure ? Give reasons.

Tragedy, according to Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, is the sudden and catastrophic fall of a great person from fortune to misfortune. When a hero faces this downfall, they are recognized as a tragic hero or a protagonist. However, there is more to a tragic hero than just confronting a downfall, there are also a few distinct characteristics that come with being a tragic hero as well. As described by Aristotle, the characteristics of a tragic hero are hamartia, peripeteia, anagnorisis, and catharsis. Every tragic hero has a hamartia, which is a tragic flaw that causes the downfall of a hero. Peripeteia is the reversal of fate that the hero experiences. Anagnorisis is known as a moment in time when the hero makes an important discovery in the story. And finally, catharsis, which is feelings of pity and fear felt by the audience, for the inevitable downfall of the protagonist. Thus, a Greak tragedy combines tragic hero undergoing through hamartia, peripeteia and anagnorisis till tragedy befalls on him along with the cathartic feelings in forms of pity and fear.

Now, let us examine Euripides’ Medea in the light of above characteristics that we find in Greek tragedy/ Greek tragic hero:

Even though Medea was written by Euripides and not Aristotle, the great author of dramas, the story still shows great signs illustrating that Medea should, in fact, be considered a tragic heroine. 

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Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.

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