Final answer:
Medea's exoticism is defined by her capacity for rational thought coupled with her criminal actions, as well as Euripides's nuanced challenge to societal norms and divine influence, seen through her character in the play 'Medea'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Euripides's play Medea is notable for its psychological depth and the portrayal of its main character Medea as both rational and criminal. Medea's exoticism comes not only from her actions, which include plotting a horrific revenge against her unfaithful husband, but also from the contextual questioning of societal norms and the divine influence on human affairs. Euripides presents Medea as a complex character that embodies the struggle against injustices done to women, foreigners, and others marginalized by society. Her deeds are framed within a narrative that encourages the audience to question and think critically about the acceptance of conventional laws and divine caprice. Edith Hall, a classicist and scholar, discusses the character of Medea in her book "The Return of Ulysses: A Cultural History of Homer's Odyssey." Hall emphasizes Medea's "exotic" nature by pointing to her foreign origins and the ways in which she challenges traditional Greek societal norms. In the play "Medea" by Euripides, Medea is a foreigner (a Colchian, from the region that is now Georgia) and a woman who goes against the expectations of Greek society. She not only marries Jason, a Greek hero, but also helps him in his quests. When Jason decides to marry another woman, Medea's rage and vengeful actions go beyond the typical reactions expected of Greek women. Her use of magic and her willingness to commit heinous acts make her unconventional and, in the eyes of the ancient Greeks, "exotic."