In What Ways Does Euripides Explore Issues Of Race, Gender And Class?

* What do you think Euripides views are on this issue* Would an Athenian audience agree with him?Euripides explores these fields mainly by putting send on the character of Medea. In other words, the treat manpowert of her character in the exercise mainly by the other members of the society which she finds herself defines the listed issues above race, gender and class.Euripides presents the make-up of race mainly with the character of Medea. On our first acquaintance, Medea especially points out the fact that she is a foreign cleaning lady coming among saucy laws. This makes obvious where she stands in the society, as foreigners are regarded as inferior to the touchable Hellenics. By this, Euripides presents a form of racism eminent in the life history of the ancient classics. Also, Medeas race was believed to be barbaric or sub-human which too contri hardlyes to the case why her character is diminished. Jason refers to her roots as a barbaric homeland which suggests a feeling of superiority.Another aspect in which Euripides explores the guinea pig of race is through the supremacy of the Greeks, which makes evident the predominance of their race in the ancient times. This is exemplified by the reference to Jasons journey to the Colchis in Medeas speech, where he steals the Golden Fleece. This presents the greed and policy-making oppression of the Greeks, which are obvious elements of racism and colonialism. This is similar to the tradition of the flop nations of the world in the recent centuries. Through this, a satirical olfactory modality offers throughout the play, as Euripides is able to recreate the superior and dominating temperament of a very powerful foreigner living in the Greek community. In my purview, I think the Greeks would puddle disliked Medea due to the fact that she has a history of insubordinate behaviour, thereby standing against their very Greek norms and beliefs.Also, the relationship between Aegeus and Medea also ech o the treatment of foreigners in ancient Greece. He tells Medea that he does not intend to take her a air with him to Corinth. This makes evident the political view regarding the banishment of foreigners. As she is exiled from one domain of Greece, she has to be snuck into another region, which portrays the unfairness of the society, brought about by the mere issue of race.Euripides presents the theme of gender as one of the most dominating and important themes which run through out the play. This is because Medea acts contrary to the perceived way by which women are to expected to be stand. By this I mean to be loyal to their husbands, regular if it means suppressing their views on both moral and political issues that affect them. Medea is describe as a wide bull by the nurse. This simile makes us certified of her viciousness. It is important that I not that the use of the word, bull symbolizes her likeness to men rather than what is expected of a woman in the Greek mount Medea is also characterized with great cleverness and wit, though she is a woman.She is able to verify all the powerful male characters, which are satirically presented as gullible. Creon, a very powerful character, the King of Corinth says I fear youyet nonetheless, Medea you shall hand over what you ask for even though he is aware of her evil capabilities. Also, Jason, her husband, a very powerful character with a legendary history is also easily exploited and convinced, due to Medeas shrewdness. I am pleased Medea that you have changed your mind. Thus, Medea is characterised as a rebel in the society. In my opinion I feel that the Greeks would have found this rather annoying, as they were employ to seeing women less oppressive, like Medea.Euripides might have therefore been plaguy the Greek mentality of women in his society, as he presents his female characters to be more knowledgeable than the men. A contrasting opinion is however do evident in the latter part of the play, as Eu ripides view on women is of a different light. In one of Medeas speeches, she says, we women are the most worthless. This might be interpreted as Euripides own opinion of women in his society or one of Medeas cynical comments on the situation she finds herself in. The nature of Euripides view on the female gender is therefore ambiguous.Another way in which Euripides explores the theme of gender is through the characters of the Chorus. These are the average Athenian women, thus they represent the view of the majority. The chorus also represent insurrection to their society as they tend to have sympathy for Medea, even in her selfish actions. This is sort of a slap in the face for the leaders of the society- Jason and Creon, as they stand views contrast with one another. They refer to Medea as the joyless woman from Colchis. Perhaps, Euripides, by this means is putting forward, cry for equality in the society.The theme of class is explored by various characters in the play. Unlike , the previous themes, it involves more characters much(prenominal) as the nurse and the tutor, who are symbols of sympathy for Medea. Poor woman Has she not stopped crying yet?The first group of great deal presented to us in the play are of a lower class, compared to Medea- the educate and the Nurse. Unlike the other characters who oppose her status in the society, these two characters relieve her feelings of anger and regret. They are therefore like her only companions as Jason has flea-bitten her. It was too much, I couldnt bear it, says the nurse as if it were her that is suffering from such betrayal. Perhaps, this is what becomes of the lower class, as they get attached to their masters who employ them and have no form of power to influence the disasters that take place.Finally, Medea makes evident, a cart track theme of class in the play. She is simply of a very high gear class, as she is the wife of a King. This thereby contributes the power she is entitled to in the s ociety. It is however difficult to pin point exactly where Medea stands, as she is obviously respected in the society, but not shown to be of great wideness to some characters, such as Creon due to the fact that she is banished by him. I have made my mind up, you are my enemy. Her barbaric reason also contributes to her high class as she is a Princess. In my opinion, I do not believe that the Greeks would have recognized her class but not necessarily respected her character due to those reason. I personally dont think this was particularly reflected in the play by Euripides, rather, he heavy on building her character on more intellectual grounds such as her cleverness.In conclusion, I think Euripides is able to explore these themes in great detail giving us different opinions which maybe sometimes ambiguous, as we are not able to know what he is thinking. This, in my opinion is what makes the play a very well pen work of art and I think it also would have appealed to the Gree ks.