Question

In a play Medea:At the beggining of the play the two characters who enter are the nurse and the tutor, who comes with the two children who have been innocently racing each other. Why is this used at the start of the play?

Answer 1

In 'Medea', the nurse and tutor entering with children innocently racing at the beginning of the play set a tone of normalcy that contrasts with the ensuing tragedy, highlighting innocence and foreshadowing the play's dramatic themes.

Step-by-step explanation:

At the beggining of the play 'Medea' by Euripides, the entrance of the nurse and the tutor with two children who have been innocently racing each other sets a scene of normalcy and innocence, which contrasts sharply with the dark and intense emotions that will unfold throughout the play. This juxtaposition serves to enhance the shock and horror of Medea's eventual actions. Euripides often starts with familiar or domestic situations which then devolve into chaos and tragedy, thus prompting the audience to question societal norms and the constraints placed upon individuals, particularly women, foreigners, and slaves.

Using children in this opening scene also foregrounds the theme of innocence corrupted or destroyed by the actions of adults, which is central to the play's dramatic impact. It lays the groundwork for exploring the consequences of personal vendettas and the violation of social and familial bonds. The opening thus effectively primes the audience for the tragic exploration of human psychology and societal issues that Euripides emphasizes in his works.