Comparison Of Medea And Hecuba - 1614 Words

In this writing I will be comparing two Greek tragedies. The tragedies are â€Å"Medea (431 BCE)† and â€Å"Hecuba (420 BCE)† by Euripides. Although at the time of these writing women did not have the same rights as men, both writings justify acts of revenge by Medea and Hecuba. The only way Medea and Hecuba will feel satisfied is to punish those who have done them wrong. Euripides details in his writing how both women cleverly present their disparity to convince people that seeking revenge is a just mean for punishment. Medea and Hecuba’s eye for an eye reasoning is a form of retaliation for personal gratification. I will explore the similarities, differences, and significance in the ways Medea and Hecuba seek revenge. Therefore, Medea and Hecuba†¦show more content†¦She explains to Agamemnon that she has suffered enough sorrow with the deaths of her children and gains his sympathy. Also she explains how Polymestor has committed the ultimate betrayal of being a host and killing his house guest Polydorus. Hecuba states, â€Å"This is the most foul murder. This man often sat at our table, toasting us with with Priam’s best wine. He was one of our closest friends†(1040-1050) Agamemnon summons Polymestor to come visit Hecuba. Once Polymestor arrives Hecuba convinces him to enter her tent with his sons. Euripides writes, â€Å"Hecuba: There are also my jewels. I smuggled our best Heirlooms out of Troy. May I give them to you for safekeeping?† (Euripides 1370-1380). Hecuba blinds Polymestor and kills his two sons. Likewise, both women used their scheming ways to get what they wanted from Jason, Agamemnon, and Polymestor. Medea and Hecuba acted like their intentions are good to get what they wanted. Medea tells Jason good things about how their sons meeting Glauce and giving her jewels will help break the ice. Medea says, â€Å"Now, children, go into that rich house and supplicate your father’s new wife, my mistress begging her that you may not be exiled, and give her these adornments† (969-971) Medea convinces Jason to try to spare their sons from being banished from Corinth by letting Glauce met their sons. This meeting ultimately kills Glauce and King Creon. Like Medea, Hecuba convinces Polymestor to enter her tent on good intentions, howeverShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Book The Odyssey 984 Words   |  4 Pagesimportance of cunning and intelligence. Not only did Telemachus’ journey helped him find his father, but it helped him find his own identity as well; Simil ar to Oedipus’ dark revelations. Hector is the prince of Troy, son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, brother of Paris, husband of Andromache, father of Astyanax, and chief warrior of the Trojan army. Hector was depicted positively in The Iliad as he is described as a great warrior, loving husband and father, and can be compared as the Trojan equivalent