Medea And Hubris - 1050 Words

Hubris, extreme pride or arrogance, is a commonly used topic in Greek tragedies. Authors utilize it to showcase a characters downfall. Hubris is a huge part in plays like â€Å"Oedipus Rex† and â€Å"Medea†, where it often leads to the eventual downfall of the characters. Human characters are often flawed; arrogance and self-importance blinding them in their weakest moments. It is common that the person’s character becomes their undoing. Hubris teaches the readers a valuable lesson by showcasing Jason’s ego and pride, Medea’s anger and pride, and Oedipus Rex’s arrogance and stubbornness. Jason’s ego and pride are illustrated when he betrays his wife, Medea, then proceeds to marry another woman, a princess. â€Å"It was not because of a woman I made†¦show more content†¦44, Euripides). Jason’s actions enraged Medea, who in turn killed their children to return the favor. By acting haughty, Jason’s downfall brought on the same misfortune upon Medea. In a like manner Medea was chagrined and embittered when Jason left Medea for a princess. â€Å"Ah, I have suffered What should be wept for bitterly. I hate you, Children of a hateful mother. I curse you And your father. Let the whole house crash.† (pg. 5, Euripides) Furiously Medea is speaking how much she loathes her children and their father in addition to how she wishes death upon them. Medea is showing off her pride by not being able to move on from Jason, specifically by repeating how much she hates him over and over. She also displayed her anger by vocalizing on how much she wants her children and their father dead, which can also be assumed that she will end up killing them. â€Å"I shall never accept the favors of friends of yours, Nor take a thing from you, so you need not offer it. There is no benefit in the gifts of a bad man.† (pg 20, Euripides) Primarily Medea is telling Jason about how she doesnt want to accept anythin g from him or his friends. Medea’s pride wont allow her to accept anything from a man she is infuriated by. Medea could have easily declined in a more pleasant way and she should have not been so infuriated with him. Her rage and self worth was so immense, it attributed to the destruction of herShow MoreRelatedThe Hubris In Oedipus Rex And Medea1027 Words   |  5 PagesHubris is a commonly used subject in Greek tragedies, which means extreme pride or arrogance. Authors utilize hubris to showcase a characters downfall. Hubris has a huge part in plays like â€Å"Oedipus Rex† and â€Å"Medea†. The Hubris in Oedipus Rex and Medea, which leads to the eventual downfall of the characters and teaches the readers a valuable lesson by showcasing Jason’s ego and pride, Medea’s anger and pride, and Oedipus Rex’s arrogance and stubbornness. 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