Question

In a play Medea: Medea is made to appear exotic and forieng in many ways. However, if we compare it to Aeschlyus' Persians, what is surpsisng about what she lacks in this regard: what deos Euripides not use to make her seem exotic that we expect her to/ that Aeschylus deos (Edith Hall)?

Answer 1

Euripides does not emphasize Medea's foreignness with spectacular means, focusing instead on the psychological portrayal, which contrasts with the overt exoticism used by Aeschlyus in 'Persians'.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing the exotic portrayal of Medea in Euripides' play with Aeschlyus's depiction of the Persians, there is a surprising lack of emphasis on Medea's foreignness through extraneous spectacle or overt exoticism. Euripides focuses more on the psychological and societal implications of Medea's actions, showcasing her rationality despite the horrid nature of her deeds. The exoticism in Euripides' Medea is subtler, aligning the character with human motivations rather than relying heavily on external factors to suggest her foreignness as seen in Aeschlyus's work.