Final answer:
Athenian politics in the play 'Medea' are tied to the democratic practices and reforms during the Golden Age under Pericles. These democratic values influence the themes Euripides explores regarding human rights and the role of individuals. Athens' political environment of open dialogue and criticism is echoed in Euripides' works.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the play Medea by Euripides, Athens is portrayed indirectly through its democratic values and institutions. Under leaders like Pericles, the Athenian political landscape was characterized by its democratic government where free adult males had the power to participate actively in politics. This included the introduction of reforms that allowed a broader segment of society, including thetes (Athenians without wealth), to serve in public office and receive a special salary for their service as jurors, through the creation of the misthophoria.
The influence of Athenian politics on Medea is significant due to the values of dialogue, open criticism, and the concept of justice. These values parallel the political environment that Euripides himself was influenced by and often criticized through his plays. Moreover, the themes of human rights, particularly concerning women, foreigners, and other marginalized groups are central in the politics of Athens and Euripides' works, suggesting a dialogue between Athenian democracy and the moral and social questions raised in the play.
The democratic ethos of Athens and its political dynamics, especially the Golden Age reforms led by Pericles, provided fertile ground for the arts and philosophy, influencing playwrights like Euripides to produce works that questioned and reflected upon societal norms, values, and the role of the individual within the state.