The struggle for women’s rights has been fierce, lengthy, and challenging to achieve. Women all around the world continue to work relentlessly towards achieving gender equality. Although a significant progress has been made, it is important not to forget where it all started. For this essay, the focus is on how Madea is treated by the men in Athens, as seen in the Euripides version and how her reaction came from the feminist within her. Madea’s husband betrays her and continues to be respected whilst she is seen as an unworthy woman for losing a man. In ancient Greece, men saw women as equal to slaves or the lesser gender. This is an issue still evident today, and Madea should be seen as a proto-feminist trying to get away from the misogyny that shelters her instead of a villain. In today’s society, many feminist movements continue to fight the stereotypes against women, Madea herself fights against this as well. While many see her as a villain who has lost her mind, Madea is a feminist character that uses power and violence to overcome the misogyny that women from her society face.
Notably, throughout the play, the belittlement of women in ancient Greece society is apparent. In her interactions with the male characters, Madea ends up being insulted various times. Jason betrays Madea, moves on easily and starts a new life, while due to the lack of rights for women, Madea is left with nothing. When she takes matters into her own hands, Jason describes Madeas attack as one triggered by nothing but sexual jealousy. This claim is essential for understanding the way Jason perceives Madea and all woman, for that matter. It is not only Jason that portrays how men trivialized women, but also the historical understanding of how men have treated women in society. Corinth women point out at the end of the prologue in the first choral ode how men in the past had controlled women representations. Euripides submits that male poets of the past had little or no faith in women. However, Euripides argues that with greater understanding and foresight, the poet needs to amend women’s representation (413-31). Enough evidence of women mistreatment and perception in Greek society existed in their history, which warranted action.
Nonetheless, the relationship between men and women in ancient Greece is the basis for women’s oppression and frustration. What makes the situation worse is the circumstances under which women are pitied against in a patriarchal society. Women are left with little or no option but to commit unimaginable offence such as infanticides to achieve self-fulfilment. Madea does not deliberately choose to plot for revenge, but the situation compels her. Madea is frustrated by the idea that she has to endure the dissatisfaction of her family life since women have no right to decide otherwise once they are married. In lamentation, Madea concedes that “we wives are forced to look to one man only” even when one is already dissatisfied (Euripides 24). For men in Greek society, the situation is different. Once a man gets tired of her wife, he has the options of abandoning her and look for another one, but for a woman, death is better. To Madea, the thought of having to persevere after her husband chose to remarry is too much. The disappointments, anger, and loathsome forces her to plot deadly revenge.
Additionally, gender roles have continuously barred women’s advancement from achieving equality in society. In most cultures worldwide, women are given the roles perceived inferior to match their conventionally thought lesser gender. The same scenario transpired in ancient Greece, where women’s responsibilities involved tending to their husbands, staying home and bearing children. They had few rights in comparison to male citizens. Women were unable to vote, own land, or inherit anything. During her marriage, Madea “gave all sorts of help to Jason. That’s when life is most secure and safe when a woman and her husband stand as one” (Euripides 10-20). But all changed when Jason decided to marry Creon’s daughter. Jason deliberately hurt Madea’s emotions by overlooking her submissiveness and obedience. As a wife, Madea did not complain about meeting the expectations of her husband or society, no matter how vile some appeared. The pain of abandonment, betrayal, and contempt becomes too much that warrants her ridiculous revenge mission to champion for the voiceless.
Other than the gender roles, status quo, and societal support of the oppression of women, feminist tend to fight subjugating laws and leaders. In ancient Greece, the crown supported the mistreatment and oppression of women by not helping them overcome marital issues. For instance, Creon escalated Madea’s suffering by deciding to banish her for fear of revenging against Jason’s decision to abandon her and marry the king’s daughter. Understandably, the king is aware that supporting Jason’s idea of remarrying is wrong as it demeans Madea and all Greek women at large but goes ahead to back it. Madea cries that “for a divorce loses women all respect”, yet no one comes to her rescue (Euripides 270-80). Unfortunately, Creon does not see the pain in Madea and is quick to order her out “you there, Medea, scowling in anger against your husband. I’m ordering you out of Corinth. You must go into exile, and take those two children of yours with you” (Euripides 310-320). Madea realizes that she has only herself to fight for the reputation and respect of the women of Corinth.
Madea’s actions, though seemingly barbarous, parallels the modern Feminists activities in the quest for equality and recognition of women in society. After noting that making a stern statement in the community requires a well-calculated move, Medea chooses to do the worst but achieve the desired results of emancipating women. Madea uses her power to attempt to liberate herself from the continuous oppression. To get back at Jason, she defies the norm and demonstrates how powerful a liberated woman can be. Modern feminist movements have opted to damaging buildings, monuments and anything that will make a statement as they desire to be heard, just like Madea. Her emotions were dismissed by her husband. Madeas violent acts against the king, his daughter and her children can be seen as her statement. Madea sacrificed her life and reputation for the sake of the entire women’s fraternity in ancient Greek society, reflecting the efforts of both first and second-wave feminist.
Importantly, feminist tend to cleverly navigate their ways through the law to attain their objectives. Madea, in the same manner as modern feminists present a robust case against women oppression, and wittingly defended her actions. For instance, when the king banished her, Madea challenged the decision with concrete facts. She said, “But, Creon, let me ask you something— I’m the one abused, so why banish me? What have I done? (Euripides 280). Here, Madea delivers a solid case opposing women’s oppression, where the authorities always perceive them as the trouble makers. Men win the support of the law and leaders without much struggle due to their gender and the perception of society that men are always right. Madea tries to make Creon understand that her actions are triggered by the injustices she has suffered because she is a foreigner and a woman. Hence, Madea swore to redress the injustices that compromise her rights and the legitimacy of her course.
While it appears that Madea is mad, it is her determination to pursue her course that becomes central to her life. When Creon refused to listen to Madea’s side of the argument, he became Madea’s third enemy, who she swore to make all of them corpse. At that point, it did not matter to Madea if she acted like a person who had lost her mind. All her concern is the ability to materialize her plans. She does not want Jason’s marriage to turn her into a laughing shock in the community. As a result, Madea is devoted to destroying every remaining trace of her connection to Jason, including killing her children. Her decision is not a matter of personal loss or profit but loyalty to the course. One can understand that Madea’s frustration represents what all women usually feel when society subjugates them. It reaches a point, women, mostly feminists, choose to heed the call of their fury to settle the injustice once and for all.
Overall, women have strived through hardships to obtain equality and recognition in society since ancient times. Contemporary feminist utilizes every available strategy, including violence and law defiance, to make a statement regarding their quest for freedom. In ancient Greece, women equally experienced an unfriendly society where men were valued more than women. Women occupied the lower rank almost at the same level as slaves, as lesser gender. In Madea by Euripides, Madea is a perfect example of a woman oppressed by stereotypes accepted as society’s norms. Medea chose to fight for her rights using what appears in the eyes of many as brutal and barbarous methods. However, to Madea, revenge through violence is the only way her statement can get much-needed attention. Ideally, Madea’s actions reflect the struggles and challenges feminist have gone through in the fight for equality.
Work Cited
Euripides. “Medea.” Johnson, Ian, translator, 431 BC. Web.