Euripides

Medea

Translated
by
Ian Johnston
Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Canada

Richer Resources Publications

Arlington, Virginia
USA

Euripides
Medea

copyright 2008 by Richer Resources Publications

All rights reserved
Cover Art by Ian Crowe.
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Euripides
Medea

Euripides
Medea
Translators Note
Note that in the following translation the normal numbers refer to this
text, while the numbers in square brackets refer to the Greek text. In
numbering the lines, the translator has normally counted a short
indented line with the short line immediately above.

Background Note
Jason was born the son of Aeson, in Iolcus. W hen his father lost the
kingship, Jason was secretly put into the care of the famous centaur
Chiron, who raised him. As a young man Jason returned to Iolcus. The
king, Pelias, who had deprived Aeson of the kingship, persuaded Jason
to set off on an expedition to capture the Golden Fleece, the pure gold
skin of a ram which was in a sacred grove in Colchis (a barbarian
region to the east of the Euxine Sea, the Greek name for the Black Sea),
where it was guarded by a dragon.
Jason put together a band of adventurers called the Argonauts. They
took their name from the ship they sailed in, the Argo. The heroes had
a number of adventures on the way to Colchis. W hen they arrived in
Colchis, king Aeetes set them a number of tasks, including yoking two
fire-breathing bulls, ploughing a field with them, sowing the field with
teeth from the dragon of Cadmus, and then fighting against the warriors who arose from the sown teeth.
To complete these tasks Jason enlisted the help of Medea, daughter of
king Aeetes. She fell in love with Jason and helped him with her magic
to complete the tasks set by Aeetes and to steal the Golden Fleece. She
then escaped with Jason, killing her brother in order to scatter his body
on the sea so that Aeetes would have to hold up his pursuit of Jason and
Medea.
Jason and Medea returned to Iolcus, where Medea's magic restored
Jason's father, Aeson, to youthful health. M edea also persuaded the
daughters of king Pelias to kill their father by giving them ineffective
medications and persuading them to try a course of treatment which
was fatal. Jason and Medea then moved to Corinth, where Jason
married the daughter of king Creon. The story of the play begins
immediately after Jasons marriage to his new bride.

Medea
Dramatis Personae
NURSE: a servant of Medea
TUTOR: a servant assigned to Jasons children
MEDEA: wife of Jason
CHORUS: a group of Corinthian women
CREON: king of Corinth
JASON: husband of Medea
AEGEUS: king of Athens
MESSENGER: a servant of Jasons
CHILDREN: Medeas and Jasons two young sons
ATTENDANTS on Creon and Jason.
[Outside the home of Jason and Medea in Corinth. The Nurse, a slave
who serves M edea, is standing by herself]
NURSE
O how I wish that ship the Argo
had never sailed off to the land of Colchis,
past the Symplegades, those dark dancing rocks
which smash boats sailing through the Hellespont.1
I wish theyd never chopped the pine trees down
in those mountain forests up on Pelion,
to make oars for the hands of those great men
who set off, on Pelias orders,
to fetch the golden fleece. Then my mistress,
Medea, never would have sailed away
to the towers in the land of Iolcus,
her heart passionately in love with Jason.
Shed never have convinced those women,
Pelias daughters, to kill their father.
Shed not have come to live in Corinth here,
with her husband and her children well loved
in exile by those whose land shed moved to.
She gave all sorts of help to Jason.
Thats when life is most secure and safe,
when woman and her husband stand as one.
But that marriage changed. Now theyre enemies.
1

10

[10]

20

The Symplegades were two rocks in the Bosporus, the entrance to the Black Sea, which
clashed together and destroyed ships.

Their fine loves grown sick, diseased, for Jason,

leaving his own children and my mistress,
is lying on a royal wedding bed.
Hes married the daughter of king Creon,
who rules this country. As for Medea,
that poor lady, in her disgrace, cries out,
repeating his oaths, recalling the great trust
in that right hand with which he pledged his love.
She calls out to the gods to witness
how Jason is repaying her favours.
She just lies there. She wont eat her body
she surrenders to the pain, wasting away,
always in tears, ever since she found out
how her husband has dishonoured her.
Shes not lifted her eyes up from the ground
or raised her head. She listens to advice,
even from friends, as if she were a stone,
or the ocean swell, except now and then
she twists that white neck of hers and weeps,
crying to herself for her dear father, her home,
her own land, all those things she left behind,
to come here with the man who now discards her.
Her suffering has taught her the advantages
of not being cut off from ones own homeland.
Now she hates her children. W hen she sees them,
there is no joy in her. And Im afraid
she may be up to some new mischief.
Her mind thinks in extremes. I know her well.
Shell not put up with being treated badly.
I worry she may pick up a sharp sword
and stab her stomach, or else shell go
into the house, in silence, to that bed,
and kill the king and bridegroom Jason.
Then shell face an even worse disaster.
Shes a dangerous woman. It wont be easy
for any man who picks a fight with her
to think shes beaten and hes triumphed.

[20]

30

40

50

[40]

[Enter Medeas and Jasons children with their Tutor]

Here come her children. Theyve finished playing.
Theyve no notion of their mothers troubles.
7

[30]

60

Young minds dont like to dwell on pain.

TUTOR
Old slave from my mistress household,
why are you here, standing by the gate,
all alone, complaining to yourself
about whats wrong? How come Medea
is willing to stay inside without you?
NURSE
Old servant of Jasons children,
when a masters lot falls out badly,
thats bad for faithful servants, too
it touches their hearts also. My sorrow
was so great, I wanted to come here,
to speak to earth and heaven, to tell them
about the wrongs inflicted on my mistress.

[50]

70

TUTOR
Unhappy lady! Has she stopped weeping yet?
NURSE
Stopped crying? I envy your ignorance.
Her suffering has only just begun
shes not even half way through it.

[60]

TUTOR
Poor fool
if I can speak that way about my masters
she knows nothing of her latest troubles.
NURSE
W hats that, old man? Dont spare me the news.
TUTOR
Nothing. Im sorry I said anything.
NURSE
Come on, dont hide it from a fellow slave.
I can keep quiet if I have to.
TUTOR
W ell, I was passing by those benches
where the old men gamble by Peirene,
at the holy spring, and I heard someone say
8

80

(I was pretending I wasnt listening)

that Creon, king of this country, intends
to ship the children away from Corinth,
with their mother, too. Ive no idea
if the storys true or not. I hope its not.

[70]
90

NURSE
But surely Jason wouldnt let his children
go into exile, even if hes squabbling
with their mother?
TUTOR
Old devotions fade,
pushed aside by new relationships.
Jason is no friend of people in this house.
NURSE
If we must add these brand-new troubles
to our old ones, before weve dealt with them,
then were finished.
TUTOR
But listen the times not right
to let your mistress know about these things.
So keep quiet. Dont mention anything.

[80]
100

NURSE
Children, do you hear what sort of man
your father is to you? My curse on him!
No. He is my master but a bad man
to his own family. Of that hes guilty.
TUTOR
W hat mortal man is not? Dont you know yet
all men love themselves more than their neighbours.
And some are right to do that while others
just want some benefit. But this father,
with his new wife, has no love for his children.
NURSE
Come on, children, get inside the house.
Things will be fine.
[To the Tutor]

110

You must keep them away

as far as possible and dont bring them
near their mother when shes in this state.
Ive seen her look at them with savage eyes,
as if she means to injure them somehow.
I know this anger of hers will not end,
not before she turns it loose on someone.
I hope it falls on enemies, not on friends!
MEDEA [crying from inside the house]
I cant stand this pain, this misery.
W hat do I do? I wish I could die!

[90]

120

NURSE
My dear children, you hear your mothers cry.
Her hearts upset. Her angers growing, too.
So quickly now, run off inside the house.
Stay out of sight. Dont try to go and see her.
Shes fierce, headstrong by nature. Take care.
So go now inside as quickly as you can.

[100]

[The Tutor and children enter the house]

Its obvious the cloud of bitter grief
rising inside her is only just the start.
As her temper grows even more intense,
it will soon catch fire. Shes a passionate soul,
hard to restrain. W hat will she do next,
now her hearts been bitten by these injuries?

130

[110]

MEDEA [from inside the house]

The pain of this suffering this intense pain.
Am I not right to weep? Oh my children,
cursed children of a hateful mother
may you die with your father, all his house,
may it all perish, crash down in ruins.
NURSE
O the sorrow of it all. Poor woman!
W hy link your children with the nasty things
their fathers done? W hy do you hate them so?
Im terrified the children will be hurt.
The pride of rulers is something to fear

10

140

they often order men, but seldom listen.

And when their tempers change its hard to bear.
Its better to get used to living life
as an equal common person. Anyway,
I dont want a grand life for myself
just to grow old with some security.
They say a moderate lifes the best of all,
a far better choice for mortal men.
Going for too much brings no benefits.
And when gods get angry with some home,
the more wealth it has, the more it is destroyed.

[120]

150

[130]

[Enter the Chorus of Corinthian women]

CHORUS LEADER
I heard her voice, I heard the cries
of that sad lady here from Colchis.
Has she not calmed down yet? Old nurse, tell me.
I heard from some household servant in there
that shes been screaming. I find no pleasure
in this houses suffering. W eve been friends.

160

NURSE
This house is finished already done for.
For Jasons bound by his new marriage tie
to the kings daughter. As for my mistress,
her tears are washing away her life in there,
inside the house. She finds no consolation
in the words of any of her friends.
MEDEA [still from inside the house]
Oh why cant a bolt of lightning strike me?
W hat point is there in living any more?
I want death to come and sweep me off
let me escape this life of suffering!
CHORUS
O Zeus and Earth and Sun
do you hear how this young wife
sings out her misery?
Thoughtless lady,
why long for deaths marriage bed
which human beings all shun?
11

[140]

170

[150]

Death comes soon enough

and brings and end to everything.
You should not pray for it.
And if your husband
devotes himself to some new bed,
why get angry over that?
Zeus will plead for you in this.
Dont waste your life away,
with too much wailing for your husband.
MEDEA [within]
O great Themis and noble Artemis,
do you see what I am having to endure,
when Im the one who bound that cursed man,
my husband, with strong promises to me?
O how I want to see him and his bride
beaten down, destroyed their whole house as well
for these wrongs they dare inflict on me,
when Ive done nothing to provoke them!
O father and city, I left you behind
in my disgrace when I killed my brother.
NURSE
Do you hear whats shes saying, how she calls
on Zeus daughter Themis, who hears our prayers,
who guards, they say, the promises men swear.
Shes bound to do something quite serious
before this rage of hers comes to an end.

180

[160]

190

[170]

200

CHORUS LEADER
I wish shed let us see her face to face
and listen to what we have to tell her.
That might calm down her savage temper,
the fury in her heart. Id like the chance
to show good will to a lady whom I like.
Go now bring her here outside the house.
Tell her shell be among some friends of hers.
And hurry, before she harms someone in there
that power in her grief will make her act.
NURSE
All right, though Im afraid I wont persuade

12

[180]

210

my mistress. Still, as a favour to you,

Ill see what I can do. Right now she glares
at servants when they come close to her
to tell her something. Shes like a bull,
or lioness with cubs thats how she looks.
Those men from long agoyoud not be wrong
to call them fools without much wisdom.
They thought up songs for celebrations,
feasts and banquets, bringing to human life
delightful music. But they found nothing
in music or the lyres many strings
to end the bitterness of human life,
the pain in living, sorrows bringing on
the deaths and horrifying disasters
which destroy whole families. W hat a blessing
it would be for human beings if music
could cure these sorrows. W hen people feast,
why should people sing? Its a waste of time.
People who eat well are happy anyway
theyve enjoyed the pleasure of the meal.

[190]

220

[200]

230

[Nurse exits into the house]

CHORUS
I have heard Medeas crying,
full of sorrow, full of tears,
her shrill accusations against Jason,
the husband whos betrayed her.
Suffering such injustice, she cries out,
calling the gods calling Themis,
Zeus daughter, goddess of those promises
which carried her across the ocean
to Hellas, through the black salt seas,
through the place which few men penetrate,
the strait which guards the Pontic Sea.
[Enter Medea with the Nurse]
MEDEA
W omen of Corinth, Im coming here,
outside the house, so you wont think ill of me.
Many men, I know, become too arrogant,

13

[210]
240

both in the public eye and in their homes.

Others get a reputation for indifference,
because they stay at ease within the house.
Theres no justice in the eyes of mortal men.
Before they know someones deep character,
they hate her on sight, though shes not hurt them.
A guest of the city must comply, of course,
act as the city wants. I dont commend
a stubborn man, not even a citizen,
who, thanks to his stupidity, annoys
his fellow townsmen. But in my case,
this unexpected blow thats hit me,
well, its destroyed my heart. My life is gone,
dear friends. Ive lost all joy. I want to die.
The man who was everything to me,
my own husband, has turned out to be
the worst of men. This I know is true.
Of all things with life and understanding,
we women are the most unfortunate.
First, we need a husband, someone we get
for an excessive price. He then becomes
the ruler of our bodies. This misfortune
adds still more troubles to the grief we have.
Then comes the crucial struggle: this husband
weve selected, is he good or bad?
For a divorce loses women all respect,
yet we cant refuse to take a husband.
Then, when she goes into her husbands home,
with its new rules and different customs,
she needs a prophets skill to sort out the man
whose bed she shares. She cant learn that at home.
Once weve worked hard at this, and with success,
our husband accepts the marriage yoke
and lives in peace an enviable life.
But if the marriage doesnt work, then death
is much to be preferred. W hen the man tires
of the company he keeps at home, he leaves,
seeking relief for his distress elsewhere,
outside the home. He gets his satisfaction
with some male friend or someone his own age.
W e women have to look at just one man.
14

[220]
250

260

[230]

270

[240]

280

Men tell us we live secure and safe at home,

while they must go to battle with their spears.
How stupid they are! Id rather stand there
three times in battle holding up my shield
than give birth once. But your story and mine
are not the same. For you have a city,
you have your fathers house, enjoy your life
with friends for company. But Im alone.
I have no city, and Im being abused
by my own husband. I was carried off,
a trophy from a barbarian country.
I have no mother, brother, or relation,
to shelter with in this extremity.
And so I want to ask something from you.
If I find some way to punish Jason
for these injustices, and his bride, as well,
and father, too, say nothing. In other things
a woman may be timid in watching battles
or seeing steel, but when shes hurt in love,
her marriage violated, theres no heart
more desperate for blood than hers.

[250]
290

300

[260]

CHORUS LEADER
Ill do what you request. For you are right
to pay your husband back. And, Medea,
Im not surprised you grieve at these events.
[Enter Creon, with armed attendants]
I see Creon, king of Corinth, coming.
Hell be bringing news, announcing
some new decision thats been made.
CREON
You there, Medea, scowling in anger
against your husband. Im ordering you
out of Corinth. You must go into exile,
and take those two children of yours with you.
Go quickly. Im here to make quite sure
that this decree is put into effect.
Ill not go back to my own palace
until Ive cast you out, beyond our borders.

15

310

[270]

320

MEDEA
O now my sufferings will kill me. Its over.
My enemies have set full sail against me,
and theres no way I can avert disaster.
But, Creon, let me ask you something
Im the one abused, so why banish me?
W hat have I done?

[280]

CREON
Im afraid of you.
I wont conceal the truth. Theres a good chance
you might well instigate some fatal harm
against my daughter. Many things lead me
to this conclusion: youre a clever woman,
very experienced in evil ways;
youre grieving the loss of your husbands bed;
and from reports I hear youre making threats
to take revenge on Jason, on his bride,
and on her father. Before that happens,
Im taking some precautions. W oman,
its better that you hate me, than for me
to grow soft now and then regret it later.
MEDEA
Alas, this is not the first time, Creon,
my reputation has badly damaged me.
Its happened often. No man with any sense
should ever educate his children
to know anything beyond whats normal.
Quite apart from charges of idleness
which other people bring against them,
they stir up in their fellow citizens
a hostile envy. If you offer fools
some brand new wisdom, theyll consider you
quite useless, not someone wise. And if,
within the city, people think of you
as greater than those men who seem quite wise,
youll appear a nuisance. So it is with me.
For Im a knowledgeable woman. I make
some people envious. Others say Im shy.
Some the opposite. Some say Im hostile.
Im not that clever, but still you fear me.
16

330

[290]

340

[300]
350

Have I hurt you at all, made you suffer?

Dont fear me, Creon. Its not in me
to commit crimes against the men in charge.
Besides, in what way have you injured me?
Youve married your daughter to a man,
one your heart selected. My husbands
the one I hate. In my view, youve acted
with good sense in this business. So now,
Ill not begrudge you your prosperity.
Have your marriage, and good luck to you.
But let me remain here, in this country.
Although Ive suffered an injustice,
Ill obey the rulers and stay silent.
CREON
W hat you say sounds comforting enough,
but Im still afraid that heart of yours
is planning something evil. At this point,
I trust you even less than previously.
Passionate people, women as well as men,
are easier to protect oneself against,
than someone clever who keeps silent.
No. You must leave and right away.
No more speeches. Ive made up my mind.
Its not possible for you to stay here,
not with us, given your hostility to me.
MEDEA [kneeling in front of Creon]
No, dont send me away. Im begging you,
at your knee, in your daughters name.
CREON
Your words are useless. You wont persuade me.
MEDEA
Youll send me into exile without hearing
my supplication?
CREON
Indeed I will.
I dont love you more than my own family.

17

360

[310]

370

[320]

380

MEDEA
O my homeland! How Im thinking of you now.
CREON
Except for my own children, my country
is what I cherish most by far.
MEDEA
Alas,
loves a miserable thing for mortal men.

390

CREON
I think events determine if thats true.
MEDEA
O Zeus, dont overlook who bears the blame
for all this evil.
CREON
Its time to leave,
you foolish woman. Time to rid myself
of all this trouble.
MEDEA
W e have trouble enough
theres no need for any more.
CREON
Come on
or my servants will throw you into exile.
MEDEA
No, dont do that. I beg you, Creon . . .
[Medea seizes Creons hand]
CREON
W oman, it seems youre trying to provoke me.
MEDEA
All right then. I will go into exile.
I wasnt begging to escape from that.
CREON
Then why clutch my hand so hard and not let go?

18

400

[330]

MEDEA
Let me remain here one day to prepare,
to get ready for my exile, to provide
something for my children, since their father,
as one more insult, does nothing for them.
Have pity on them. Youre a parent, too.
You should treat them kindly thats whats right.
If I go into exile, I dont care,
but I weep for them in their misfortune.
CREON
For a tyrant my will is by nature tender,
and by feeling pity Ive been hurt before,
more than once. And now, woman, I see
Im making a mistake, for you can have
your extra day. But let me warn you
if the sun catches you tomorrow
within the borders of this country,
you or your children, youll be put to death.
Dont think Im not telling you the truth.
So, if you must remain, stay one more day.
In that time you cant do the harm I fear.

[340]

410

[350]

420

[Exit Creon with his attendants]

CHORUS LEADER
Alas for you, unfortunate woman
how wretched your distress. W here will you turn?
W here will you find someone to take you in?
W hat country, what home will you find yourself
to give you shelter from misfortunes?
MEDEA
Things have worked out badly in every way.
W ho can deny the fact? But nonetheless,
you should not assume thats how things will stay.
The newly wedded pair still face some struggles,
and the man who made this marriage happen
might have serious problems yet. Do you think
Id prostrate myself before a man like that,
if there was no advantage to be gained?
If I did not have some plan in mind,

19

[360]

430

Id not have talked to him or grabbed his hand.

But the mans become completely foolish
when he had the power to prevent me
from planning anything, by sending me
out of his land, he let me stay one day,
a day when Ill turn three of my enemies
to corpses father, daughter, and my husband.
Now, I can slaughter them in many ways.
Im not sure which one to try out first.
Perhaps I should set the bridal suite on fire,
or sneak into the house in silence,
right up to their marriage bed, and plunge
some sharpened steel right through their guts.
Theres just one problem. If I get caught
going in their house, meaning to destroy it,
Ill be killed, and my enemies will laugh.
No. The best method is the most direct,
the one at which I have a special skill
Ill murder them with poison. Yes, thats it.
But once theyre dead, what city will receive me?
W holl give me safe shelter as a guest
and offer me physical protection?
Theres no one. Still, Ill wait a little while.
If someone shows up who can shield me,
Ill set my scheme in motion and kill them
without saying a word. But if events
force me to act openly, Ill use a sword.
Even though it will bring about my death,
Ill push my daring to the very limit
and slaughter them. By Hecate, the goddess
I worship more than all the others,
the one I choose to help me in this work,
who lives with me deep inside my home,
these people wont bring pain into my heart
and laugh about it. This wedding of theirs,
Ill make it hateful for them, a disaster
Creons marriage ties, my exile from here,
hell find those bitter. So come, Medea,
call on all those things you know so well,
as you plan this and set it up. Let the work,
this deadly business, start. Its a test of wills.
20

[370]

440

[380]

450

[390]
460

470

[400]

You see what you have to put up with.

You must not let Jasons marriage make you
a laughing stock among Corinthians,
compatriots of Sisyphus, for you
trace your family from a noble father
and from Helios, the sun. 1 So get to work.
Besides, we have a womans nature
powerless to perform fine noble deeds,
but very skilled in all the forms of evil.
CHORUS
The waters in the sacred rivers
are flowing in reverse,
and all well-ordered things
are once more turning on themselves.
Mens plans are now deceitful,
their firm trust in the gods is gone.
My life is changing common talk
is giving me a better reputation.
Honours coming to the female sex.
Slander will no longer injure women.
Those songs by ancient poets
will stop chanting of our faithlessness.
Phoebus, god of song and singing,
never put into our minds the gift
of making sacred music with the lyre,
or else I would have sung a song
in response to what the male sex sings.
For our lengthy past has much to say
about mens lives as well as ours.
You sailed here from your fathers house,
your heart on fire, past those two rocks
that stand guard to the Euxine Sea.
You live now in a foreign land.
Youve lost your marriage bed,
your husband, too, poor woman.
And now youre driven out,
1

480

[410]

490

[420]

500

[430]

510

Sisyphus: in Greek mythology, the founder and first king of Corinth, famous for his
punishment in Hades, as described in Homers Odyssey, where he is condemned to an
eternity of rolling a bolder up a hill, only to have it roll down again.

21

hounded into exile in disgrace.

The honour in an oath has gone.
And all throughout wide Hellas
theres no shame any more.
Shame has flown away to heaven.
So to you, unhappy lady,
no fathers house is open,
no haven on your painful voyage.
For now a stronger woman
rules in your household,
queen of his marriage bed.

[440]

520

[Enter Jason]
JASON
Right now is not the first time Ive observed
how a harsh temper makes all things worse
impossibly so. Its happened often.
You couldve stayed here in this land and house,
if only youd agreed to the arrangements,
showed some patience with those in command.
Now youre exiled for your stupid chatter.
Not that I care. You dont have to stop
calling Jason the worst man in the world.
But when you speak against the ruler here,
consider yourself very fortunate
that exile is your only punishment.
Ive always tried to mollify the king
he has a vicious temper and have you stay.
But you just wouldnt stop this silly rage,
always slandering the royal house.
Thats why youve got to leave the country.
Anyway, I wont neglect my family.
Ive come here, woman, looking out for you,
so you wont be thrown out with the children
in total need and lacking everything.
Exile brings with it all sorts of hardships.
Although you may well despise me now,
I could never have bad feelings for you.

22

[450]
530

540
[460]

MEDEA
As a man youre the worst there is thats all
Ill say about you, no trace of manhood.
You come to me now, you come at this point,
when youve turned into the worst enemy
of the gods and me and the whole human race?
It isnt courage or firm resolution
to hurt your family and then confront them,
face to face, but a total lack of shame,
the greatest of all human sicknesses.
But you did well to come, for I will speak.
Ill unload my heart, describe your evil.
You listen. I hope youre hurt by what I say.
Ill begin my story at the very start.
I saved your life every Greek who sailed with you
on board that ship the Argo can confirm it
when youd been sent to bring under the yoke
the fire-breathing bulls and then to sow
the fields of death. And I killed the dragon
guarding the Golden Fleece, coiled up there,
staying on watch and never going to sleep.
For you I raised the light which rescued you
from death. I left my father and my home,
on my own, and came with you to Iolcus,
beneath Mount Pelion. My love for you
was greater than my wisdom. Then I killed
Pelias in the most agonizing way,
at the hands of his own daughters,
and then destroyed his household, all of it.
Now, after Ive done all this to help you,
you brute, you betray me and help yourself
to some new wife. And we have children!
If youd had no children, Id understand
why youre so keen on marrying this girl.
And what about the promises you made?
I dont know if you think the ancient gods
still govern, or if new regulations
have recently been put in place for men,
but you must know youve broken faith with me.
By this right hand, which you have often held,
and by my knees, at which youve often begged,
23

550

[470]

560

[480]

570

[490]

580

it was all for nothing to be touched like that,

by such a worthless man. Ive lost all hope.
But come now. Ill sort things out with you,
as if you were a friend. Ive no idea
what sort of kindness to expect from you.
But lets see. The things Ill ask about
will make you look even more disgraceful.
W here do I now turn? To my fathers house?
For your sake I betrayed my country,
to come here with you. Then should I go
to Pelias daughters in their misery?
Theyd surely welcome me with open arms,
since I killed their father. Thats how things stand.
To my family Im now an enemy,
and by assisting you I declared war
on those whom I had no need to injure.
For all the ways Ive helped you, you made me,
in the eyes of many wives in Greece,
a lucky woman, blessed in many things.
But what a wonderful and trusting husband
I have in you now, in my misfortune,
if I go into exile, leave this land,
with no friends, all alone, abandoned,
with my abandoned children. And for you,
what a fine report for a new bridegroom,
his children wandering round like vagabonds
with the very woman who saved his life.
O Zeus, why did you give men certain ways
to recognize false gold, when theres no mark,
no special token on the human body,
to indicate which men are worthless.

590
[500]

600

[510]

610

CHORUS
W hen members of a family fight like this,
rage pushes them beyond all compromise.
JASON
W oman, it seems Ill need to give good reasons,
and, like a skilled helmsman on a ship,
haul in my sails and run before that storm
blowing from your raving tongue. In my view,
you overestimate your favours to me.
24

[520]

620

I consider goddess Aphrodite

the only one of gods or mortal men
who saved my expedition. As for you,
well, youve a subtle mind. But if I told
how Eros with his unerring arrows
forced you to save me, I could injure you.
So I wont press the matter very far.
However you helped me, you did it well.
But by saving me you got in return
more than you gave, as I will demonstrate.
First of all, you now live among the Greeks,
not in a country of barbarians.
Youre familiar with justice and the laws,
rather than brute force. Besides, all the Greeks
know youre clever, so youve earned yourself
a fine reputation. If you still lived
out there at the boundary of the world,
no one would talk about you. And great fame
Id sooner have than houses filled with gold,
or the power to sing sweet melodies,
sweeter than all the songs of Orpheus.
Thats my response to you about my labours.
Remember you started this war of words.
As for your complaints about this marriage,
Ill show you that in this Im being wise,
and moderate, and very friendly to you,
and to my children. You must have patience.
W hen I came here from the land of Iolcus,
I brought with me many troubles, hard ones,
things impossible for me to deal with.
W hat greater good fortune could I have found
than marrying the daughter of the king,
me an exile? On the point that irks you,
its not the case I hate our marriage bed,
overcome with lust for some new bride,
nor am I keen to rival other men
in the number of my many children.
W e have enough. Im not complaining.
The most important thing for us to do
is to live well and not in poverty,
knowing that everyone avoids a friend
25

[530]
630

640

[540]

650
[550]

660

[560]

once hes a pauper. As for my children,

I want to raise them in the proper way,
one worthy of my house, to have brothers
for the children born from you, and make them
all the same. Thus, with a united family
I might prosper. Do you need more children?
In my case, theres some benefit to have
new children to help those already born.
W as this a bad scheme? Youd agree with me,
if you werent so upset about the sex.
But you women are so idiotic
you think if everything is fine in bed,
you have all you need, but if the sex is bad,
then all the very best and finest things
you make your enemies. W hat mortals need
is some other way to get our children.
There should be no female sex. W ith that,
men would be rid of all their troubles.

670

[570]

680

CHORUS LEADER
Jason, your reasons here seem logical,
but it strikes me, if I may presume,
youre in the wrong abandoning your wife.
MEDEA
Im very different from many others,
in all sorts of ways in my opinion,
the unjust man who speaks so plausibly
brings on himself the harshest punishment.
Since hes sure his tongue can hide injustice,
he dares anything. But hes not that clever.
So you should not parade before me now
your clever words and faulty reasoning.
One word demolishes your argument:
if you were not corrupt, youd ask me first,
get my consent to undertake this marriage,
but you didnt even tell your family.
JASON
Oh yes, if Id told you of the wedding,
Im sure you would have lent me fine support.
Even now you cant stand to set aside
26

[580]
690

700

that huge rage in your heart.

[590]

MEDEA
Youre lying.
You thought as you grew old a barbarian wife
would bring you disrespect.
JASON
Get this straight
this royal bride I have, I didnt marry her
because of any woman. As I told you,
I wanted to save you and have children,
royal princes, with the same blood as my sons.
That way my house has more security.
MEDEA
May I never want a merely prosperous life,
accepting pain or great wealth at the expense
of happiness here in my heart.

710

JASON
Do you think
you can change that prayer and sound more sensible?
You should not consider this advantage
painful, or pretend to be so wretched
when things are going well for you.

[600]

MEDEA
Keep up the insults. You have your refuge.
Im alone and banished from this country.
JASON
Thats what youve chosen. The blame rests with you.
MEDEA
W hat did I do? Marry and desert you?
JASON
You kept making all those bitter curses
against the ruling family here.
MEDEA
And Im a curse against your family, too.

27

720

JASON
Im not arguing with you any more
about all this. But if you want me
to provide some money, some assistance
for you and the children in your exile,
just ask. Im prepared to give you some,
and with a generous hand. Ill send my friends
introductory tokens, so theyll treat you well.
Youd be mad not to accept this offer.
W oman, stop being so angry. If you do,
things will turn out so much better for you.

[610]

730

MEDEA
Ill accept no assistance from your friends,
nor anything from you. Dont make the offer.
Gifts from a worthless man are without value.
JASON
All right, but I call the gods to witness
Im willing to help you and the children.
But you reject my goods and stubbornly
push away your friends, and that the reason
you suffer still more pain.

[620]

740

MEDEA
Get out of here.
For someone so in love with his new bride
youre spending far too long outside her home.
Go act married. The gods may well see to it
your marriage changes into one of those
which make you howl with sorrow.
[Exit Jason]
CHORUS
Love with too much passion
brings with it no fine reputation,
brings nothing virtuous to men.
But if Aphrodite comes in smaller doses,
no other god is so desirable.
Goddess, I pray you never strike me
with one of those poisoned arrows
shot from that golden bow of yours.
28

750

[630]

I pray that moderation,

the gods most beautiful gift,
will always guide me.
I pray that Aphrodite
never packs my heart with jealousy
or angry quarrelling.
May she never fill me with desire
for sex in other peoples beds.
May she bless peaceful unions,
using her wisdom to select
a womans marriage bed.

760

O my country and my home,

I pray I never lack a city,
never face a hopeless life,
one filled with misery and pain.
Before that comes, let death,
my death, deliver me,
bring my days to their fatal end.
For theres no affliction worse
than losing ones own country.

770

I say on this based on what Ive seen,

not on what other people say.
For you are here without a city
you have no friends to pity you,
as you suffer in this misery,
suffer in the harshest way.
The man who shames his family,
who doesnt open up his heart
and treat them in all honesty
may he perish unlamented.
W ith him I never could be friends.

780

[Enter Aegeus, King of Athens]

AEGEUS
I wish you all happiness, Medea.
Theres no better way to greet ones friends.
MEDEA
All happiness to you, too, Aegeus,
wise Pandions son. W here are you coming from?
29

[640]

[650]

[660]

AEGEUS
Ive just left Apollos ancient oracle.

790

MEDEA
The prophetic centre of the earth?
W hat business took you there?
AEGEUS
To ask a question.
I want to know how I can have some children.
MEDEA
In the gods name, have you lived so long
without ever having any children?

[670]

AEGEUS
Not one. Some god is doing this to me.
MEDEA
Do you have a wife? Or have you stayed unmarried?
AEGEUS
No, Im married. My wife shares my bed.
MEDEA
So what did Apollo say about it?
AEGEUS
W ords too wise for human understanding.

800

MEDEA
It is appropriate for me to learn them?
AEGEUS
Of course. They need a clever mind like yours.
MEDEA
W hat was the prophecy? Tell it to me
if its all right for me to hear.
AEGEUS
He told me this:
Dont untie the wineskins foot. . .
MEDEA
Until when?
Until you do what or reach what country?
30

[680]

AEGEUS
. . . until you come back to your hearth and home.
MEDEA
W hat were you looking for when you sailed here?
AEGEUS
A man called Pittheus, king of Troezen.
MEDEA
Hes Pelops son, a very holy man, they say.

810

AEGEUS
I want to share the gods prophecy with him.
MEDEA
Hes a wise man and skilled in things like that.
AEGEUS
And the friendliest of all my allies.
MEDEA
W ell, good luck. I hope you find what you desire.
AEGEUS
W hy are your eyes so sad, your cheeks so pale?
MEDEA
O Aegeus, my husband has been cruel
of all men hes treated me the worst.

[690]

AEGEUS
W hat are you saying? Tell me truly
what things have made you so unhappy?
MEDEA
Jasons abusing me. Ive done him no harm.
AEGEUS
W hat has he done? Give me more details.
MEDEA
Hes taken a new wife. She now rules his home,
instead of me.
AEGEUS
Thats completely shameful.

31

820

He hasnt dared something like that, has he?

MEDEA
Indeed, he has. Hes dishonored me, the wife
he used to love.
AEGEUS
Is this a new love affair,
or did he get fed up with you in bed?
MEDEA
A new love match hes betrayed his family.
AEGEUS
Leave him, then, since, as you say, hes worthless.
MEDEA
His passion is to marry royalty.

830

[700]

AEGEUS
W hos giving her to him? Tell me the rest.
MEDEA
Creon, who rules this land of Corinth.
AEGEUS
Then, lady, its quite understandable
why youre in such distress.
MEDEA
Im done for, finished.
Im being banished from this country.
AEGEUS
By whom? Youre speaking now of some new trouble.
MEDEA
Creon is driving me out into exile,
shipping me off, away from Corinth.
AEGEUS
W ith Jasons full consent? I find that disgraceful.
MEDEA
He says not. Still, hes planning to accept it.
But, Aegeus, I beg you by your beard,
and at your knees implore you have pity.
32

840

[710]

Take pity on me in my misfortune.

Dont let me be exiled without a friend.
Accept me as a suppliant in your home,
your native land. If you will take me in,
may the gods then answer your desire
to have children. May you die a happy man.
You dont know what a lucky one you are
to find me here. Ill end your childlessness.
I know the sorts of medicines to use,
and I can help you have many children.
AEGEUS
Lady, Id like to grant this favour to you,
for many reasons. First, theres the gods.
Then, for the children you say Ill produce.
For there Ive lost all sense of what to try.
Heres what Ill do. If you get to my country,
Ill strive to treat you as a foreign guest
thats the proper thing for me to do.
But, Medea, Ill give you fair warning:
I wont plot to get you out of Corinth.
If you can reach my household on your own,
you may stay there in safety. Rest assured
I wont surrender you to anyone.
But you must make your own escape from here.
I dont want my hosts finding fault with me.

850

[720]

860

[730]

MEDEA
Thats fine with me. If you could promise this,
youd have done me all the good you can.
AEGEUS
Dont you trust me? W hat in this still bothers you?
MEDEA
I do trust you. But the house of Pelias
dislikes me, and so does Creons, too.
If you bind yourself to a promise now,
youll not hand me over when they come,
seeking to remove me from your country.
If you use words, and dont swear by the gods,
you may become their friend and then comply

33

870

with their political demands. Im weak,

and they have wealth, a kings resources.
AEGEUS
W hat youve just said is very shrewd. All right,
if its what you want, Im not unwilling
to do what you require. Your proposal
gives me some security. I can show
those hostile to you Ive a good excuse.
And it makes your position safer.
Tell me the gods that I should swear by.

[740]

880

MEDEA
Swear by the plain of Earth, by Helios,
my fathers father, by the family of gods,
by all of them collectively.
AEGEUS
Tell me
what I must swear to do and not to do.
MEDEA
Never to cast me out from your own country.
And if some enemy of mine asks you
if he can take me off, youll not agree,
not while youre still alive.

890
[750]

AEGEUS
I swear
by the Earth, by Helios sacred light,
by all the gods Ill do what Ive just heard.
MEDEA
Thats good. And if you betray this promise,
what happens to you then?
AEGEUS
May I then suffer
the punishment that falls on profane men.
MEDEA
All is well. Now, go your way in peace.
Ill come to your city as quickly as I can,
once Ive completed what I mean to do,

34

900

and my plans here have been successful.

[Exit Aegeus]
CHORUS LEADER
May Hermes, noble son of Maia,
go with you on your return, Aegeus.
I hope youll get what your hearts so set on,
for in my eyes you are a worthy man.
MEDEA
O Zeus, and Justice, child of Zeus,
and flaming Helios now, my friends,
well triumph over all my enemies.
The plans Ive made have been set in motion.
Im confident my enemies will pay,
theyll get their punishment. For at the point
when I was most in trouble, this man came
and helped me plan safe harbour for myself.
Ill lash my ships cable to Aegeus,
once Ive made it to Athenas city.
Now Ill tell you all the things Im planning
though youll get little pleasure from my words.
Im going to send one of my household slaves
to ask Jason to come and visit me.
Once hes here, my words will reassure him.
Ill tell him I agree with what hes doing,
that leaving me for this royal alliance
is a fine idea hes acted properly
and made the right decisions. Then Ill ask
if my children can remain. My purpose
is not to leave them in a hostile land
surrounded by insulting enemies,
but a trick to kill the daughter of the king.
For Ill send the children to her with gifts.
Theyll carry presents for the bride, as if
requesting to be spared their banishment
a finely woven robe and a tiara
of twisted gold. If she accepts those gifts
and puts them on, shell die and painfully.
And so will anyone touching the girl.
Ive smeared strong poisons on those gifts.
35

[760]

910

[770]

920

[780]

930

So much for that. Ill say no more about her.

But the next thing Ill do fills me with pain
Im going to kill my children. Theres no one
can save them now. And when Ive done this,
wiped out Jasons house completely, Ill leave,
evading the punishment Id receive
for murdering my darling children,
a sacrilegious crime. You see, my friends,
I wont accept my enemies contempt.
So be it. W hat good does life hold for me now?
I have no father, no home, no refuge.
I was wrong to leave my fathers house,
won over by the words of that Greek man,
who now, with the gods help, will pay the price.
Hell never see his children alive again,
the ones I bore him, nor have more children
with his new bride, for shes been marked to die
an agonizing death, poisoned by my drugs.
Let no one think that Im a trivial woman,
a feeble one who sits there passively.
No, Im a different sort Im dangerous
to enemies, but well disposed to friends.
Lives like mine achieve the greatest glory.
CHORUS LEADER
Since youve shared your plans with me, I urge you
not to do this. I want to help you,
holding to the standards of human law.
MEDEA
In this matter theres no choice. I forgive
what you just said, because, unlike me,
you dont have to bear this suffering.
CHORUS LEADER
But, lady, can you stand to kill your children?
MEDEA
Yes. It will be a mortal blow to Jason.
CHORUS LEADER
But as a woman it will devastate you.

36

[790]

940

[800]
950

960

[810]

MEDEA
Thats beside the point. Until that time
its useless to continue talking.

970

[Medea goes to door of the house and calls inside]

You in there . . .
[Enter Nurse from the house]
. . . go now and fetch Jason here.
W hen I need to trust someone, I choose you.
Tell him nothing of what I mean to do,
if you like your mistress and are a woman.

[820]

[Exit Medea into the house and the Nurse off stage]
CHORUS
Since ancient times, Erechtheus sons
have been especially blessed,
children of the sacred gods,
from a holy country never conquered,
never ransacked by its enemies.1
Fed on glorious fruits of wisdom,
they stride lithely through the sunlit air,
where, so the story goes, the M uses,
nine maidens of Pieria, gave birth
to golden-haired Hermione.
And people celebrate how Aphrodite,
while drawing water from the stream,
the flowing river of the lovely Cephissus,
breathes down upon the land
sweet, temperate winds,
while she binds within her hair
garlands of sweet-smelling roses,
sending Love to sit at W isdoms side,
to foster all fine things.
How will this city of sacred streams,
this land of strolling lovers,
welcome you a murderer,
who slaughtered her own children,
1

980

[830]

990

[840]

Erechtheus sons: In Greek mythology Erechtheus was an early king of Athens. The
phrase Erechtheus sons is a common term referring to the Athenians.

37

an unholy woman among its people?

Consider this the killing of your children.
Consider the murders you are going to do.
By your knees we beg you,
in every way we know,
do not butcher your own children.
W here will your hands and heart
find the strength, the courage
to dare this dreadful action?
How will you look at them,
your children, and not weep
for their murderous fate?
W hen they kneel before you,
and implore your mercy,
youll find it impossible
to steel your heart,
then soak your hands
in your own childrens blood.

[850]
1000

[860]

1010

[Enter Medea from the house and, from the side, Jason with the Nurse]
JASON
Ive come, as you requested. You hate me,
but Im here, and Im prepared to listen.
W oman, what it is you now want from me?
MEDEA
Jason, I ask you to forgive me
for what I said before. My anger
you should be able to put up with,
since we two have shared many acts of love.
Ive been debating with myself. I realize
Ive been in the wrong. I tell myself
Im a fool. W hy am I in such a rage,
resenting those who offer good advice?
W hy fight against the rulers of this land
or against my husband, whose actions serve
my own best interests with this royal marriage,
producing brothers for my children?
W hy cant I stop being angry? W hats wrong with me,
when gods are being so kind? Dont I have children?

38

1020
[870]

1030

[880]

Dont I know were going into exile,

where friends are hard to find? W ith thoughts like these,
I recognized how foolish I had been,
how senseless it was to be so annoyed.
So now I agree with you. It strikes me
youve been acting prudently, by forging
this marriage link on our behalf. I was mad.
1040
I should have worked with you in this design,
helped you with your plans, stood there beside you
in this marriage, rejoiced along with you
for this union with your bride. But women are,
well, I wont say bad we are what we are.
You shouldnt copy the bad things we do,
repaying foolishness with foolishness.
So I concede. I admit that I was wrong.
But now I see things in a better light.

[890]

[Medea goes to the door of the house and calls inside]

Children, come out here leave the house.

1050

[Enter the children with the Tutor]

Come on out. W elcome your father here
talk to him with me. You and your mother
will end the bad blood weve had in this family.
W eve patched things up, and no ones angry now.
Take his right hand. O its harsh to think
of what the future hides.

[900]

[Medea hugs her children]

O my children,
will you keep holding your dear arms out like this
through all the many years you have to live?
O dear, Im just too tearful, too afraid!
My delicate eyes keep filling up with tears,
now Ive stopped this quarrel with your father.
CHORUS LEADER
My eyes, too, begin to weep pale tears.
May this bad luck proceed no further.

39

1060

JASON
Lady, I approve of what youre saying now.
Not that I blame you for what went on before.
For its quite natural in the female sex
to get angry when their husbands set up
secret schemes to plan another marriage.
But your heart has changed now for the better.
Although it took a while, you understand
the wiser course of action. In doing so,
youre acting like a woman of good sense.
Now, as for you, my children, your father
has not been neglectful. W ith the gods help,
Ive made secure provision for you.
At some future date, youll be leaders here,
in Corinth, alongside your new brothers.
But first you must grow up. As for the rest,
your father and the god who smiles on him
will take care of that. I pray I see you
mature into fine young men, victorious
over all my enemies.

[910]

1070

1080

[Medea starts to weep]

Medea,
why turn away? W hy weep and fill your eyes
with these pale tears? W hat I have said,
does that not make you happy?
MEDEA
Its nothing.
I was thinking of the children.
JASON
Cheer up.
I will see that they are well looked after.
MEDEA
I will cheer up. I trust what you have said.
But its a womans nature to shed tears.
JASON
But why be so tearful with the boys?

40

1090

[920]

MEDEA
I gave birth to them. W hen you made that prayer
about them growing up, I felt pity,
wondering how things would turn out for them.
But lets discuss the reasons for your visit.
Ive mentioned some. Now Ill let you know the rest.
Since the rulers here are keen to banish me,
I recognize the best thing I can do
is try not to stand in their way or yours,
by staying here. This royal house thinks me
their enemy. So Ive made up my mind
to leave this country and go into exile.
But you should beg Creon to spare our boys,
not banish them, so they can grow up here,
under your direction.

[930]

1100

[940]

JASON
W ell, I dont know
if I can convince him. But I should try.
MEDEA
You could tell your wife to ask her father
not to send the children into exile.
JASON
A good idea. I think I can persuade her.
MEDEA
You will, if shes a woman like the rest.
And Ill give you some help. Ill send her gifts,
by far the finest human gifts I know,
a finely woven gown, a diadem
of twisted gold. The boys will take them.
One of my servants must fetch them here
[Medea gestures to a servant]
Youbring me those presents right away.
[Servant goes into the house]
Shes got more than one reason to be happy,
that wife of yours. Shes blessed in countless ways.
In you shes found a very worthy man

41

1110

[950]

to share her bed and now she gets these gifts,

which my grandfather Helios once gave
to his descendants.

1120

[The servant returns with the gifts. Medea takes them and hands them
over to her children]
Come, children,
take up these wedding gifts and carry them
as offerings to the happy royal bride.
W hat shes getting will be worthy of her.
JASON
W hat are you doing, you foolish woman,
disposing of these things of yours? Do you think
the royal house lacks clothes or gold? Keep them.
Dont give them away. If my wife values me,
shell set more store on what I want to do
than on rich possessions. Im sure of that.
MEDEA
Dont say that. Even the gods, they claim,
are won by gifts. And among mortal men,
gold works more wonders than a thousand words.
Her fortunes on the rise. Gods favour her.
Shes young, with royal power to command.
But to spare my children banishment,
Id trade more than gold. Id give my life.
Now, children, when you get inside the palace,
you must beg this new wife of your fathers,
my mistress, not to send you into exile.
W hen you present these gifts, your must make sure
she takes them from you herself, in her own hands.
Now go and be quick about it. Good luck!
Bring your mother back news of your success,
the happy news she so desires to hear.
[Exit Jason and the children, with the Nurse and Tutor]
CHORUS
Ive no longer any hope
that these children stay alive,
as they stroll to their own slaughter.

42

[960]

1130

[970]
1140

The bride will take her diadem,

shell take her golden ruin.
W ith her own hand shell fix
across her lovely yellow hair
the jewellery of death.
The unearthly gleam, the charm
will tempt her to put on the robe
and ornament of twisted gold.
Her marriage bed will lie among the dead.
Thats the trap shell fall in.
Thats how she will die.
She cant escape destruction.

1150

[980]

1160

And you, unlucky man,

married to the daughter of a king
how ignorant you are right now,
bringing death to both your sons,
to your bride an agonizing end.
You most unfortunate man,
how wrong you were about your destiny.
Next, I mourn your sorrows,
unhappy mother of these children,
intent on slaughtering your sons,
because your lawless husband
left you and your marriage bed
and now lives with another wife.

[990]

1170

[1000]

[Enter the Tutor with the children]

TUTOR
My lady, your children wont be exiled.
The royal bride was happy to accept,
with own hands, the gifts you sent her.
Now the boys have made their peace with her.
[Medea starts to weep]
W hats wrong? W hy do you stand there in distress?
Things have worked out well. W hy turn away again?
Arent you happy to hear my splendid news?

43

1180

MEDEA
Alas . . .
TUTOR
An odd response to the news I bring.
MEDEA
All I can say is how sad I am . . . .
TUTOR
Have I mistakenly said something bad?
Am I wrong to think my news is good?

[1010]

MEDEA
Youve reported what you had to tell me.
Im not blaming you.
TUTOR
Then why avert your eyes?
W hy are you crying?
MEDEA
Old man, I have my reasons.
The gods and I, with my worst intentions,
have brought about this situation.
TUTOR
Be happy. Your children will one day
bring you back home again.

1190

MEDEA
But before that,
I shall bring others to their homes alas,
how miserable I feel.
TUTOR
Youre not the only mother whose children
have been separated from her. W e mortals
must bear our bad times patiently.
MEDEA
Ill do so.
But now go in the house. And carry on.
Give the children their usual routine.
[Tutor exits into the house. The children remain with Medea]
44

[1020]

O children, my children, you still have

a city and a home, where you can live,
once youve left me in wretched suffering.
You can live on here without your mother.
But Ill go to some other country,
an exile, before Ive had my joy in you,
before Ive seen you happy, or helped
to decorate your marriage beds, your brides,
your bridal chambers, or lifted high
your wedding torches. How miserable
my self-will has made me. I raised you
and all for nothing. The work I did for you,
the cruel hardships, pains of childbirth
all for nothing. Once, in my foolishness,
I had many hopes in you its true
that youd look after me in my old age,
that youd prepare my corpse with your own hands,
in the proper way, as all people wish.
But now my tender dreams have been destroyed.
For I will live my life without you both,
in sorrow. And those loving eyes of yours
will never see your mother any more.
Your life is changing. O my children,
why are you looking at me in that way?
W hy smile at me that last smile of yours?
Alas, what shall I do? You women here,
my heart gives way when I see those eyes,
my childrens smiling eyes. I cannot do it.
Good bye to those previous plans of mine.
Ill take my children from this country.
W hy harm them as a way to hurt their father
and have to suffer twice his pain myself?
No, I wont do that. And so farewell
to what I planned before. But whats going on?
W hats wrong with me? Do I really want
my enemies escaping punishment,
while I become someone they ridicule?
I will go through with this. W hat a coward
I am even to let my heart admit
such sentimental reasons. Children,
you must go into the house.
45

1200

1210
[1030]

1220
[1040]

1230

[1050]

[The children move toward the house but remain at the door, looking
at Medea]
Anyone forbidden
to attend my sacrifice, let such a man
concern himself about these children.
My hand will never lack the strength for this.
And yet . . . My heart, dont do this murder.
Youre made of stone, but leave the boys alone.
Spare my children. If they remain alive,
with me in Athens, theyll make you happy.
No! By those avengers in lower Hell,
Ill never deliver up my children,
hand them over to their enemies,
to be humiliated. They must die
thats unavoidable, no matter what.
Since that must happen, then their mother,
the one who gave them life, will kill them.
At all events its settled. Theres no way out.
On her head the royal bride already wears
the poisoned crown. That dress is killing her.
But Im treading an agonizing path
and send my children on one even worse.
W hat I want to do now is say farewell.

1240

[1060]

1250

[Medea moves to the children near the door, kneels down and hugs
them]
Give me your right hands, children. Come on.
Let your mother kiss them. Oh, these hands
how I love them and how I love these mouths,
faces the bearing of such noble boys.
I wish you happiness but somewhere else.
W here you live now your father takes away.
O this soft embrace! Their skins so tender.
My boys breathing smells so sweet to me.
But you must go inside. Go. I cant stand
to look at you any more like this.
The evil done to me has won the day.
I understand too well the dreadful act
Im going to commit, but my judgment
cant check my anger, and that incites
46

1260

1270

[1070]

the greatest evils human beings do.

[1080]

[Medea shepherds the children into the house, leaving the Chorus
alone on stage]
CHORUS
Often, before this present time,
Ive gone into more complex arguments,
Ive struggled with more serious issues,
than my female sex should try to probe.
But we, too, have an artistic Muse.
She lives with us to teach us wisdom.
But not with all of usthe group of women
able to profit from our Muse is small
in a crowd of women you might find one.
And I claim that with human beings
those with no experience of children,
those who have never given birth,
such people have far more happiness
than those who have been parents.
W ith those who have no children,
because they never come to see
whether their children have grown up
to be a blessing or a curse to men,
their failure to have offspring
keeps many troubles from them.
But those who in their own homes
have a sweet race of children growing,
I see them worn down with cares
their whole life long. First,
how they can raise their children well.
Next, how they can leave their sons
a means of livelihood. And then,
its by no means clear that all the work
produces good or useless children.
Theres one final problem,
the worst for any mortal human
Ill tell you: suppose those parents
have found a sufficient way of life,
and seen their children grow
into strong, young, virtuous men,
if Fate so wills it, Death comes,
47

1280

[1090]

1290

[1100]

1300

1310

[1110]

carries off the childrens bodies,

away to Hades. W hat profit, then,
is there for us and our love of sons,
if the gods inflict on mortal men,
in addition to their other troubles,
this most painful extra grief.
[Enter Medea from the house]
MEDEA
My friends, Ive long been waiting in suspense
to see whats happening in the royal house.
Now I see one of Jasons servants coming.
His hard rapid breathing indicates to me
hes bringing news of some fresh disaster.

1320
[1120]

[Enter the Messenger, coming from the royal palace]

MESSENGER
Medea, you must escape leave this place.
Youve done an awful deed, broken every law.
Take ship and go by sea or go overland
by chariot. But you must go from here.
MEDEA
W hats happened that I have to run away?
MESSENGER
The kings daughter has just been destroyed,
her father, too Creon. You poisoned them.
MEDEA
W hat really splendid news you bring.
From now on, Ill consider you a friend,
one of my benefactors.

1330

MESSENGER
W hats that?
Are you in your right mind, lady, or insane?
To commit this crime against the royal house,
and then be happy when you hear the news,
without being afraid?
MEDEA
I have some remarks to offer in reply.
48

[1130]

But, my friend, dont be in such a hurry.

Tell me of their deaths. If you report
they died in pain, youll double my rejoicing.
MESSENGER
W hen your two children came with their father
and went in the brides home, we servants,
who had shared in your misfortune, were glad,
for a rumour spread at once from ear to ear
that you and your husbands previous quarrel
was now over. Someone kissed the boys hands,
someone else their golden hair. In my joy,
I went with the children right inside,
into the womens quarters. Our mistress,
whom we now look up to instead of you,
before she caught sight of your two children,
wanted to fix her eyes on Jason only.
But then she veiled her eyes and turned away
her white cheek, disgusted that theyd come.
Your husband tried to change the young brides mood,
to soften her anger, with these words,
Dont be so hard-hearted with your family.
Check your anger, and turn your face this way,
look at us again, and count as friends of yours
those your husband thinks are friends of his.
Now, receive these gifts, and then, for my sake,
beg your father not to exile these two boys.
Once she saw the gifts, she did not hold out,
but agreed in everything with Jason.
And before your children and their father
had gone any distance from the palace,
she took the richly embroidered gown
and put it on, then arranged the golden crown,
fixing it in her hair at a bright mirror,
smiling at her bodys lifeless image there.
Then she stood up from her seat and strolled
across the room, moving delicately
on her pale feet, delighted with the gifts,
with a great many glances to inspect
the straightness of the dress against her legs.
But then it happened a horrific sight.
49

1340

[1140]

1350

[1150]

1360

[1160]

1370

She changed colour, staggered back and sideways,

trembling, then fell into her chair again,
almost collapsing on the floor. An old woman,
one of her servants, thinking it was a fit
inspired by Pan or by some other god,
shouted in festive joy, until she saw
the white spit foaming in her mouth, her eyes
bulging from their sockets, and her pale skin
quite drained of blood. The servant screamed again
this time, to make up for her former shout,
she cried out in distress. Another slave
ran off at once towards her fathers palace,
and another to the girls new husband
to tell him the grim fate his bride had met.
The whole house rang with peoples footsteps,
as they hurried back and forth. By the time
it would take a fast runner to complete
two hundred yards and reach the finish line,
her eyes opened the poor girl woke up,
breaking her silent fit with a dreadful scream.
She was suffering a double agony
around her head the golden diadem
shot out amazing molten streams of fire
burning everything, and the fine woven robe,
your childrens gift, consumed the poor girls flesh.
She jumped up from the chair and ran away,
all of her on fire, tossing her head, her hair,
this way and that, trying to shake off
her golden crown but it was fixed in place,
and when she shook her hair, the fire blazed
twice as high. Then she fell down on the ground,
overcome by the disaster. No one
could recognize her, except her father.
Her eyes had lost their clear expression,
her face had changed. And there was blood
on top her head, dripping down, mixed with fire.
The flesh was peeling from her bones, chewed off
by the poisons secret jaws, like resin
oozing from a pine torch. An appalling sight!
Everyone was too afraid to touch the corpse
what wed seen had warned us. But her father,
50

[1170]

1380

1390

[1180]

1400
[1190]

1410

[1200]

poor wretch, didnt know what shes been through.

He came unexpectedly into the house
and stumbled on the corpse. He cried aloud,
embraced his daughter, and kissed her, saying,
My poor child, what god has been so cruel
to destroy you in this way? W hos taken you
away from me, an old man near my death?
O my child, I wish I could die with you.
He ended his lamenting cries. But then,
when he tried to raise his old body up,
he was entangled in that woven dress,
like ivy wrapped around a laurel branch.
He struggled dreadfully, trying to get up
onto his knees, but she held him down.
If he used force, he tore his ancient flesh
clear off his bones. The poor man at last gave up.
His breathing stopped, for he couldnt stand the pain
a moment longer. So the two of them lie dead
the daughter, her old father, side by side.
Its horrible, something to make one weep.
Concerning you theres nothing I will say.
For youll know well enough the punishment
thats coming to you. As for human life,
it seems to me, and not for the first time,
nothing but shadows. And I might say,
without feeling any fear, those mortals
who seem wise, who prepare their words with care,
are guilty of the greatest foolishness.
Among human beings no one is happy.
W ealth may flow in to produce a man
more lucky than another, but no man,
is ever happy, no one.

1420

[1210]

1430

[1220]

1440

[1230]

[Exit Messenger]
CHORUS LEADER
This is the day, it seems,
the god tightens trouble around Jason,
and justly so. O poor Creons daughter,
how we pity your misfortune. Youre gone,
down in Hades home the price you pay
for marrying Jason.
51

1450

MEDEA
My minds made up, my friends.
Ill do it kill my children now, without delay,
and flee this land. I must not hesitate.
That will hand them over to someone else,
to be slaughtered by a hand less loving.
No matter what, the children have to die.
Since thats the case, then I, who gave them life,
will kill them. Arm yourself for this, my heart.
W hy do I put off doing this dreadful act,
since it must be done? Come, pick up the sword,
wretched hand of mine. Pick up the sword,
move to where your life of misery begins.
Dont play the coward. Dont remember now
how much you love them, how you gave them life.
For this short day forget they are your children
and mourn them later. Although you kill them,
still you loved them. As a woman, Im so sad.

[1240]
1460

[1250]

[Exit Medea into the house]

CHORUS
Hail to Earth,
Hail to the Sun,
whose rays illuminate all things.
Turn your eyes, look down,
see this destroying woman,
before she sets her bloody hands,
her instruments of murder,
onto her own children,
those offshoots of your golden race.1
Its a fearful thing for men
to spill the blood of gods.
O light which comes from Zeus,
stop her, take from the house
this blood-thirsty savage Fury
gripped by the spirit of revenge.

1470

1480

[1260]

The pain you felt in giving birth

was useless, wasted.
1

Medea claims her descent from Helios, god of the sun. Hence, her children are descendants of the sun.

52

Those children you so love,

you bore them all in vain.
You who left behind you
the inhospitable passage
where the Symplegades dance,
those deadly, dark-blue rocks,
you unhappy woman,
why does your anger
fall so heavily upon your heart,
and one harsh murder
follow so quickly on another?
The polluting moral stain
that taints all mortal men
who shed their family blood
upon the earth thats hard to bear.
For the gods send down
onto the houses of the ones who kill
sorrows to match their crimes.

1490

1500

[1270]

CHILD [from inside the house]

Help me . . . help . . .
CHORUS
Did you hear that?
Did you hear the children cry?
That wretched, evil woman!
CHILD [from within]
W hat do I do? How can I escape
my mothers hands?
SECOND CHILD
I dont know, dear brother.
Its over for us . . .
CHORUS
Should I go in the house?
Im sure I must prevent this murder.
CHILD
Yes for the love of gods, stop this! And hurry!
SECOND CHILD
The sword has almost got uslike a snare!
53

1510

CHORUS
You hard and wretched woman,
just like stone or iron
to kill your children,
ones you bore yourself,
sealing their fate with your own hands.
Of all women that ever lived before
I know of one, of only one,
who laid hands on her dear children
and that was Ino,
driven to madness by the gods,
when Hera, Zeus wife,
sent her wandering in a fit
away from home
that sad lady leapt into the sea,
because shed killed her sons
a most unholy murder.
She walked into the surf
at the seas edge, perishing
so she could join in death
her own two children.
But what horror still remains
after whats happened here?
A womans marriage bed
so full of pain how many evils,
has it brought on humankind?

[1280]

1520

1530

[1290]

[Enter Jason with attendants]

JASON
You women standing there beside the house,
wheres Medea, whos done these awful things?
Is she still inside? Or has she left here?
Shell have to hide herself under the earth,
or else fly up to heavens overarching vault,
if shes going to avoid her punishment
from the royal house. Did she really think
she could kill the rulers of this country
and get away unharmed? But at this point
shes no concern of mine. Im worried
for my children. Those whom she has wronged
will take care of her. Ive come for the boys,
54

1540

[1300]

1550

to save their lives, in case the next of kin

try to harm me and mine, retribution
for their mothers profane murders.
CHORUS
Unhappy man, you dont know the full extent
of your misfortune, or you would not say this.
JASON
W hat is it? Does she plan to kill me, too?
CHORUS
Your boys are dead, killed by their mothers hand.
JASON
No. W hat are you saying? W oman,
you have destroyed me.

[1310]

CHORUS
The boys are dead.
You must fix your mind on that. Theyre gone.

1560

JASON
W here did she do this? Inside or outside?
CHORUS
Open the doors and you will see them,
your slaughtered children.
JASON [shouting into the house, as he shakes the doors]
You slaves in there,
remove the bar from this door at once,
withdraw the bolts, so I may see two things
my dead sons and their murderer, that woman
on whom I shall exact revenge.
[Jason shakes the doors of the house, which remain closed. Medea appears in a winged chariot, rising above the house. The bodies of the two
children are visible in the chariot]
MEDEA
W hy are you rattling the doors like that,
trying to unbar them so you can find
their bodies and me, the one who killed them?
Stop trying. If you want something from me,

55

1570

then say so, if you want to. But youll never

have me in your grasp, not in this chariot,
a gift to me from my grandfather Helios,
to protect me from all hostile hands.
JASON
You accursed woman, most hateful
to the gods and me and all mankind.
You dared to take the sword to your own boys,
you the one who bore them and to leave me
destroyed and childless. Having done this,
after committing this atrocious crime,
can you still look upon the earth and sun?
May you be destroyed! Now I understand
I must have lost my mind to bring you here,
from that savage country, to a Greek home.
You were truly evil then you betrayed
your father and the land that raised you.
But the avenging fury meant for you
the gods have sent to me. You slaughtered
your brother in your home, then came aboard
our fine ship, the Argo. Thats how you began.
W hen you married me and bore my children,
in your lust for sex and our marriage bed,
you killed them. No woman from Greece would dare
to do this, but I chose you as my wife
above them all, and that has proved to be
a hateful marriage it has destroyed me.
Youre not a woman. Youre a she-lion.
Your nature is more bestial than Scylla,
the Tuscan monster. But my insults,
multiplied a thousand fold, dont hurt you.
Your hearts too hard for that. So be off,
you shameful murderer of your children.
Let me lament my fate. Ill get no delight
from my new bride, nor will I ever speak
to my own living children, the two boys
I bred and raised. Theyre lost to me.
MEDEA
I would reply to your words at length,
if Father Zeus did not already know
56

[1320]

1580

[1330]

1590

[1340]

1600

[1350]

what I did for you and what you did to me.

You werent going to shame my marriage bed
and have a pleasant life ridiculing me.
Nor was that royal bride or Creon,
who gave her to you, going to banish me,
throw me from here with impunity.
So if you want, call me a lioness
or Scylla, who lives on Tuscan shores.
For Ive made contact with your heart at last.

1610

[1360]

JASON
You have your own share of pain and sorrow.
MEDEA
Thats true. But theres relief in knowing
you cannot laugh at me.

1620

JASON
O my children,
you had such an evil mother!
MEDEA
O my children,
victims of your fathers evil actions!
JASON
At least it was not my hand that killed them.
MEDEA
No. It was an insult your new marriage.
JASON
W as it right to murder them for that?
MEDEA
Do you think that insult to a woman
is something insignificant?
JASON
Yes, I do,
to a woman with good sense. But to you
its completely evil.
MEDEA
W ell, your sons are gone.

57

1630

That should cause you pain.

[1370]

JASON
I think their spirits live
to take out their revenge on you.
MEDEA
The gods are aware who began this fight.
JASON
Yes, they well know your detested heart.
MEDEA
Keep up your hate. How I loathe your voice.
JASON
And I hate yours. It wont be difficult
for the two of us to part.
MEDEA
Tell me how.
W hat shall I do? For thats what I want, too.
JASON
Let me bury these dead boys and mourn them.
MEDEA
Never. M y own hands will bury them.
Ill take them to Heras sacred lands
in Acraia, so no enemy of mine
will commit a sacrilege against them
by tearing up their graves. And in this place,
this land of Sisyphus, Ill initiate
a solemn celebration, with mystic rites,
future atonement for this wicked murder.
Ill now go to the land of Erechtheus,
to live with Aegeus, son of Pandion.
As for you, youll have a miserable death,
as is fitting for a coward. Now youve seen
the bitter ending of your marriage to me,
your head will be smashed in, when youre hit
by a mouldy relic of your ship the Argo.
JASON
May the avenging Fury of our children
58

1640

[1380]

1650

destroy you may you find blood justice.

[1390]

MEDEA
W hat god or spirit listens to you,
a man who doesnt keep his promises,
a man who deceives and lies to strangers?
JASON
You polluted wretch! Child killer!
MEDEA
Go home.

1660

Bury that wife of yours.

JASON
Ill go.
Ive lost both my sons.
MEDEA
Your griefs not yet begun.
W ait until youre old.
JASON
Oh such loving children!
MEDEA
Their mother loved them. You did not.
JASON
And yet you killed them?
MEDEA
Yes, to injure you.
JASON
Alas, how I long to see my dear boys faces,
to hold them in my arms.

[1400]

MEDEA
So now, at this point,
youll talk to them, youll give them an embrace.
Before this, you shoved them from you.
JASON
By the gods,
I beg you, let me feel their tender skin.

59

1670

MEDEA
No. Your words are wasted.
JASON
O Zeus,
do you hear how Im being driven off,
what I must endure from this child killer,
this she lion, this abomination?
But Ill use the strength I have for grieving
and praying to the gods to bear witness
how you have killed my children and refuse
to let me hold their bodies or bury them.
How I wish Id never been a father
and had to see you kill my children.

[1410]

1680

[Medeas chariot takes her and the children up and away from the
scene. Exit Jason]
CHORUS
Zeus on Olympus,
dispenses many things.
Gods often contradict
our fondest expectations.
W hat we anticipate
does not come to pass.
W hat we dont expect
some god finds a way
to make it happen.
So with this story.

1690

[Exit Chorus]

60

A Note on the Translator

Ian Johnston is a retired university teacher and a Research Associate of
Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia. He is the
author of The Ironies of W ar: An Introduction to Homers Iliad.
Other translations by Ian Johnston available from Richer Resources
Publications include the following:
Aeschylus, Oresteia
Aristophanes, Birds
Aristophanes, Clouds
Aristophanes, Frogs
Aristophanes, Lysistrata
Euripides, Bacchae
Homer, Iliad
Homer, Odyssey
Sophocles, Antigone
Sophocles, Oedipus the King.
For further information please consult the following internet site:
www.RicherResourcesPublications.com.
For a complete list of and access to translations by Ian Johnston,
consult the following web site:
http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/index.htm.

61

62