The Role of The Chorus in Medea

In the play Medea by Euripides, we as readers come across a scene in which Medea herself engages in a conversation with the Chorus that suggests a male dominant society. The Chorus in Medea seems to act as the bridge between the audience and the main character’s inner emotions, as it shows Medea expressing her grief over women’s reality within the time. In fact, the lines of 231-237 seem to suggest the issue of male dominance running strong and how Medea herself wishes for the betterment of females.

To properly unfold, the first line which reads “we women are the most miserable species” (Euripides 1.2. 231) suggests the way in which women are dehumanized. As to use the term “species” almost ignores the complications of humanity, especially, females. Moreover, she mentions the words “we women” which creates a difference between men and women and that, women are treated differently than the males in society.

Now, there is much to unpack in the lines of “we must buy a husband with abundant goods and, in an evil even more hurtful than the initial purchase, take him as master of our body” (Euripides 1. 2. 232-234). Here, it is evident that women can be seen as disposable and easily commodified; treated as a medium of exchange in which men can so easily discard and search out whichever woman brings more economic value. Moving along, the specific use of the term “purchase” shows how relationships between genders are rather a transaction as opposed to an emotional connection. Furthermore, the idea of a man mastering the body of the female suggests an overall unhealthy view of the female body. This is obvious through the way in which a man, driven by lust, can so easily take control of the female body through force and thus destroy the individuality of a woman.

The words, “That is the greatest challenge, whether we win a bad husband or a decent one…” (Euripides 1. 2. 235-236), states the fact that no matter what initial behavior the husband has upon marriage, all males will gain dominance over their wives. If a husband is forceful in the beginning he can gain control quickly, but even the males who seem to be decent initially will manipulate the innocent women into their trap.

Lastly, the closing lines of “Divorce ruins a woman’s reputation, nor is it possible to refuse a husband” (Euripides. 1. 2. 236-237) creates an idea which shows that no matter how inhumane a male’s character can be, it is always the wife who is to be blamed for the failure (or divorce) of a relationship. The successfulness of marriage is the wife’s responsibility, no matter how morally bad the husband is. Indeed, if a woman is to attempt to leave an abusive relationship there is no hope in returning to a life of independence, as, the woman is to be tied to the label of going against traditional marriage.

To conclude, this particular passage within Medea shows that women are expected to sacrifice their own freedom for the men in their life. It is clear that women never truly get justice and are directly connected to the patriarchy. The roles of “mother,” “wife,” “daughter” and “sister” all are given priority over the woman’s sense of self.