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Medea
Medea | Euripides
19 posts | 69 read | 17 to read
One of the most powerful and enduring of Greek tragedies, Medea centers on the myth of Jason, leader of the Argonauts, who has won the dragon-guarded treasure of the Golden Fleece with the help of the sorceress Medea. Having married Medea and fathered her two children, Jason abandons her for a more favorable match, never suspecting the terrible revenge she will take.Euripides' masterly portrayal of the motives fiercely driving Medea's pursuit of vengeance for her husband's insult and betrayal has held theater audiences spellbound for more than twenty centuries. Rex Warner's authoritative translation brings this great classic of world literature vividly to life.
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review
Bookwomble
Medea | Euripides
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Pickpick

Having read Medea a few years ago & watched on TV a theatrical performance of Euripides' play, I've been wanting to see Pasolini's 1970 film version starring Maria Callas, and finally managed to do so.
It's a phantasmagorical mix of mythology, historical drama and folk horror, surreal in places, bloody in others, and with amazing cinematography, locations and costumes. Callas is appropriately spellbinding in the title role.

psalva Ooh! This looks interesting. I read several of Euripides‘ plays earlier this year, and I have yet to look at an actual performance. Medea is one of the plays that sticks out most in my mind of the ones I read. 1y
Bookwomble @psalva Pasolini's film is an adaptation of the Medea story, rather than a performance of Euripides, though well worth watching in its own merit. I was lucky to see the Fiona Shaw performance of the play, but it's no longer on YouTube, sadly. This somewhat older performance is pretty powerful, though: https://youtu.be/fNiriEzx5ss 1y
vivastory Thanks for the reminder of this adaptation! Several weeks ago I reread Medea in anticipation of possibly seeing the current Met Opera production in theaters (alas my local theater didn't show it) & ever since I have been thinking of good adaptations to watch. Callas herself is in Cherubini's Medea which I plan on listening to soon 1y
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psalva @Bookwomble Thank you for the recommendation. I have saved it to watch later when I have enough time. 1y
Bookwomble @psalva 😊👍🏻 1y
Bookwomble @vivastory I haven't heard Cherubini's opera, but have seen photos of Callas in the role, and assume it was that which inspired Pasolini to cast her. I'll add Cherubini to the list of things I should listen to, though I don't think I have enough years left to hear them all! 1y
vivastory A couple of weeks ago I was listening to a podcast & they were musing why there wasn't a tv series or a movie involving a vampire who just used their immortality on catching up on their TBR & all of the things they wanted to listen to. This felt relatable. 1y
Bookwomble @vivastory Ha! Maybe that's why we don't hear so many reports of vampires any more - they're getting their teeth stuck into books rather than necks! 😆 1y
batsy Great review. I've not seen this but I really want to. 1y
Bookwomble @batsy Thanks 😊 And, yes, it's been on my watch list for a long time, too. Glad I finally saw it. 1y
37 likes10 comments
review
batsy
Medea | Euripides
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Pickpick

When I was doing a university course on Greek tragedies I remember having disorienting dreams for that entire term. The week we read Medea was the worst; some version of her kept entering my unconscious as I slept. The dreams were NUTS. I'm happy to report that reading it again (this time in the Philip Vellacott translation) remains a disturbing experience. Her rage & single-mindedness is chilling, even as she knows she's doing something horrific.

batsy "Oh, what an evil power love has in people's lives". Her conversations with Jason shake you to the core. You can't help but root for her until you realise what she means to do with her rage. As for Jason, he's a Grade A jerk but gets to have the moral high ground because, well, he doesn't kill anyone. The way in which the experience of sexual betrayal effects women within a system where they are lesser beings is enough to put anyone off "romance". 2y
squirrelbrain Wow, that‘s some review! Not sure I‘ll rush to read it though…. 😁 2y
andrew61 Great review, im tending to come the classics in modern retellings but always mean to read more of the originals. 2y
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batsy @squirrelbrain Ha, yes I can understand why 😁 2y
batsy @andrew61 Thanks! It's great to be going through the originals after a long time, and as a bonus each play is pretty short 🙂 2y
Centique Oh wow that‘s a compelling review! I must read this 🙌 2y
batsy @Centique I hope you "enjoy" it when you get to it though that's probably not the best choice of words ? 2y
vivastory Stellar review! The Greeks were definitely the original unlikeable characters! Poor Medea...I recall enjoying the Von Trier movie, although it's been many years since I've watched it. 2y
charl08 Yikes. Might pass if she comes with crazy dreams... 2y
batsy @vivastory Thank you! And I've not watched the movie, and will try to. 2y
batsy @charl08 I understand that it's not everyone's idea of a good time 😆 2y
sudeepkumar Mo number 2y
AvidReader25 Medea‘s story is so heartbreaking. 2y
batsy @AvidReader25 It is! Really makes me ache because her agony is made very palpable. 2y
BiblioLitten I was wondering about Medea the other day. I loved it when I first read it years back. Time for a reread soon! 2y
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blurb
Eggs
Medea | Euripides
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Medea is betrayed and abandoned by her husband Jason when he runs off with a younger woman

#betrayal #ithadtobeyou @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

56 likes2 comments
blurb
CoveredInRust
Medea | Euripides
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Damn, girl...

review
thereflectiveflaneur
Medea | Euripides
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Pickpick

Ben Power‘s version / adaptation is STUNNING!

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K.Wielechowski
Medea | Euripides
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Pickpick

Medea married Jason (of the Argo) and bore him two sons but Soon Jason‘s eyes and ambition wondered. He set Medea aside so he could marry a princess, abandoning his first family. Medea rails against the injustice of it and I was on her side until she brings murder into it.

review
S3V3N
Medea | Euripides
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Pickpick

I switched it up with this short read. It is very good.

blurb
Eggs
Medea | Euripides
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Medea murders her children after Jason betrays her for a younger, more politically useful woman.

#jealousy

#augustabc

60 likes1 stack add
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Temistio
Medea | Euripides
Pickpick

Amazing

review
Lucas.Rencher
Medea | Euripides
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Pickpick

@Rachel.Rencher told me to read this one because she loved it so much in high school. It took a while for me to feel invested in the story, but the ending was intense. 😱

catiewithac This book cover is unfortunate though 5y
Rachel.Rencher I loved how you said she was all "poor me" at the beginning ? 5y
Lucas.Rencher @Rachel.Rencher well its true 😂 5y
NeedsMoreBooks Taught this in a world lit class and my students had extreme reactions and thought provoking discussions. Definitely disturbing and interesting. (edited) 5y
88 likes1 stack add4 comments
quote
Booko
Medea | Euripides
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blurb
Violetta
Medea | Euripides
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1. Going to the theatre tomorrow to see Medea. Just now making a cup of tea to drink while rereading the play - gotta be prepared 😎
2. Donuts
3. Not yet. All plans were confused by the 3rd season of Doctor Who🍿Tennant is too wonderful to stop.
4. We've got only two working days this week because of the Labor Day (paradox 😁), and it surely feels great.
5. Tagging anyone interested in the game!

#friyayintro
@jesshowbooks

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LikelyLibrarian
Medea | Euripides
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Day three of my World Lit I mini-session: Greek Tragedies and Euripides Medea (not to be confused with Tyler Perry‘s Madea). What I love about teaching this text is my students‘ reactions to the characters‘ actions. 🤣

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Halechr
Medea | Euripides
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Mehso-so

I guess it‘s better than not reading at all, but not my favorite thing I‘ve ever read. For a class read though it could be worse!

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goktrose
Medea | Euripides
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#30daysofreadathon Day 29: Short Book
Looking at my shelves, I had to give a shoutout to these classics I still own from college! Short, but these definitely still take concentration to get through! #readathon

review
MariettaSG
The Medea | Euripides
Pickpick

Beware the betrayed faithful spouse.

6 likes1 stack add
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everfree7
The Medea | Euripides
Pickpick

One of my favorite plays to teach. The students also love it. It gets them in heated discussion!

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sofiaga
The Medea | Euripides
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This audiobook is a collection of really interesting lectures about world literature. From Gilgamesh to Borges. Today I am on the chapter of Greek Tragedy.

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Caralen
The Medea | Euripides
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Don't be afraid of the ancient classics! This is my favorite by Euripides. The tale is terrible, yet so timeless: the scorned spouse gives into wrath and destroys everything. We feel Medea's anguish, that of the chorus, OMG the children's fear, and even Jason's. So very sad.

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