The play “Medea” illustrates the differences and struggles between the genders. Discuss some differences between men and women and use one quote from the play to support your viewpoint.
Society in general has a view that women are the ones that need to be giving, change our names when married, nurture, support our family. We are given away in marriage by our fathers and are expected to "honor & obey til death due us part". We have come a long way from the Greek times, when we were less than dirt, but we are still expected to follow a few of the old ways of thinking, Like Medea said," It was everything to me to think well of one man, and he, my own husband, has turned on me in the vilest manner." We look to our partner and when they go off on their merry way, we are left bitter and angry. Then, to add insult to injury, as women we are expected to let go of the anger and be nurturing and sweet. It is not fair. We suffer more emotional and physical pain than men for a longer period of time yet they are the majority rulers of our world.
After Medea finds out that Jason has left her and she and her children are to be sent into exile, Medea says, "A man goes out of the house and puts an end to his boredom, turns to a friend or companion, yet we are forced to keep our eyes on one alone." This statement can be used today. There is a double standard even now. If a man leaves his wife for someone else, or cheats, the wife's friends will say that she should take him back and forgive him, because men have needs! If a woman did the same, that woman would be crucified by her family and friends. She 'has no morals'. Nothing is different. Women don't even get the same pay that men in the same field get!
There are many differences between men and women still present in today's society. In greek times the manner in which women lived was vile but nowadays women receive more respect and responsibilities but are still limited to alot. Some women today still follow the tradition that men should work while women stay at home and take care of family duties. Men sometimes do not appreciate what women do while at home taking care of their families and household duties. As Medea stated, " I saved your life, and every Greek knows I saved it. You thankless body without a mind. These hands showed no pity when employed for you."
For centuries, the differences between men and women were socially defined and falsify through an eye of sexism in which men assumed autority over women and maintained it through domination. Men seem to think they are in control of everything, where the women should be weak. Women sometimes dont think that man can really see them for being strong... all they see them for is having bareing their kids. In Madea, Madea stated "In vain, my children, have I brought you up, Borne all the cares and pangs of motherhood, And the sharp pains of childbirth undergone." sexisim has changed some... but still their are some sexes acts in today society
The women in the Greek period were quoted as "failed males," one evolutionary step below, one step of the road to deformity and imperfection. They had no political rights, were not permitted to buy or sell land, and remained perpetually under the control of a MAN! For example, in the play "Medea," Medea says to Jason, "I saved your life, I gave up my brother, father, fatherland, and my virginity...this is how you reward ME!" This goes to show that women gave themselves completely, without any rights and living entirely without murmuring or grumbling. Woman are constantly washing, cooking, feeding, and sleeping with a man that controls, misuses, abuses, and sometimes even abandons them. This is not the ideal "fantasy" life for a woman, but they deal with it, leaving them empty and angry. This ill treatment still exists today in some of our modern male figures and we still experience some of that unjust and selfish treatment. Men Rules and women govern themselves accordingly. She still OBEYS!!!
The differences between men and women during this era was that men were treated as first class citizens and women were to cater to their needs. Women were used for the bodies in order to bare children and submit to their husbands sexual gratifications. Medea herself states, "Among all thinking creatures, we women are most unfortunate. For us to buy a husband, which takes much wealth, and take for our bodies in turn a master." She expresses that woman are considered creatures of the lowest form. After paying heavily to have a husband, they in turn treat them as slaves.
Society in general has a view that women are the ones that need to be giving, change our names when married, nurture, support our family. We are given away in marriage by our fathers and are expected to "honor & obey til death due us part". We have come a long way from the Greek times, when we were less than dirt, but we are still expected to follow a few of the old ways of thinking, Like Medea said," It was everything to me to think well of one man, and he, my own husband, has turned on me in the vilest manner." We look to our partner and when they go off on their merry way, we are left bitter and angry. Then, to add insult to injury, as women we are expected to let go of the anger and be nurturing and sweet. It is not fair. We suffer more emotional and physical pain than men for a longer period of time yet they are the majority rulers of our world.
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ReplyDeleteAfter Medea finds out that Jason has left her and she and her children are to be sent into exile, Medea says, "A man goes out of the house and puts an end to his boredom, turns to a friend or companion, yet we are forced to keep our eyes on one alone." This statement can be used today. There is a double standard even now. If a man leaves his wife for someone else, or cheats, the wife's friends will say that she should take him back and forgive him, because men have needs! If a woman did the same, that woman would be crucified by her family and friends. She 'has no morals'. Nothing is different. Women don't even get the same pay that men in the same field get!
ReplyDeleteThere are many differences between men and women still present in today's society. In greek times the manner in which women lived was vile but nowadays women receive more respect and responsibilities but are still limited to alot. Some women today still follow the tradition that men should work while women stay at home and take care of family duties. Men sometimes do not appreciate what women do while at home taking care of their families and household duties. As Medea stated, " I saved your life, and every Greek knows I saved it. You thankless body without a mind. These hands showed no pity when employed for you."
ReplyDeleteFor centuries, the differences between men and women were socially defined and falsify through an eye of sexism in which men assumed autority over women and maintained it through domination. Men seem to think they are in control of everything, where the women should be weak. Women sometimes dont think that man can really see them for being strong... all they see them for is having bareing their kids. In Madea, Madea stated "In vain, my children, have I brought you up,
ReplyDeleteBorne all the cares and pangs of motherhood,
And the sharp pains of childbirth undergone." sexisim has changed some... but still their are some sexes acts in today society
The women in the Greek period were quoted as "failed males," one evolutionary step below, one step of the road to deformity and imperfection. They had no political rights, were not permitted to buy or sell land, and remained perpetually under the control of a MAN!
ReplyDeleteFor example, in the play "Medea," Medea says to Jason, "I saved your life, I gave up my brother, father, fatherland, and my virginity...this is how you reward ME!" This goes to show that women gave themselves completely, without any rights and living entirely without murmuring or grumbling. Woman are constantly washing, cooking, feeding, and sleeping with a man that controls, misuses, abuses, and sometimes even abandons them. This is not the ideal "fantasy" life for a woman, but they deal with it, leaving them empty and angry. This ill treatment still exists today in some of our modern male figures and we still experience some of that unjust and selfish treatment. Men Rules and women govern themselves accordingly. She still OBEYS!!!
The differences between men and women during this era was that men were treated as first class citizens and women were to cater to their needs. Women were used for the bodies in order to bare children and submit to their husbands sexual gratifications. Medea herself states, "Among all thinking creatures, we women are most unfortunate. For us to buy a husband, which takes much wealth, and take for our bodies in turn a master." She expresses that woman are considered creatures of the lowest form. After paying heavily to have a husband, they in turn treat them as slaves.
ReplyDelete