Final answer:
Medea kills a close relative in a particularly gruesome manner by strangling them as part of her revenge.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Euripides' play "Medea," the act of strangling symbolizes the depths of Medea's intense rage and her unyielding desire for revenge. Fueled by the profound betrayal of her husband Jason, who abandons her to marry another woman, Medea's response transcends conventional boundaries of grief and heartbreak. Instead, she channels her anguish into a grotesque act of violence.
The choice of strangulation as the means of executing her revenge is particularly significant. Strangling involves an intimate, hands-on approach, reflecting the close familial ties between Medea and her victims. By physically grasping her close relative and depriving them of life through the act of strangulation, Medea magnifies the brutality of her actions. This method underscores the extremity of her emotions, as she goes beyond emotional suffering to inflict a tangible, gruesome form of retribution.
Moreover, the victims chosen by Medea—her own children and Jason's new wife—highlight the extent of her vindictiveness. By eliminating those closest to Jason, she ensures that he experiences the ultimate devastation, losing not only his new wife but also the progeny of their union. The act of strangulation becomes a symbolic manifestation of Medea's desire to choke the life out of Jason's happiness and lineage, leaving him with the profound emptiness she herself feels.
In essence, Medea's use of strangulation serves as a chilling embodiment of her all-consuming fury, emphasizing the visceral and vengeful nature of her actions in the face of betrayal and abandonment.