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Medea
Jason is the son of Aeson. As a child he is given to the centaur, Chiron, to be raised, educated, and protected from his greedy half-uncle, Pelias, king of Iolocus. In an effort to get rid of Jason, Pelias sends him in quest of the Golden Fleece, but, with Medea's help, Jason succeeds in obtaining it. Until the cowardly and greedy behavior elaborated in Medea, Jason conducts himself more or less heroically. Within the play, he is a shortsighted representative of the ruling class of advantaged men. He is a cunning rhetorician (arguer), but, as we see in Medea, is arguments are not always in the service of truth. He is more concerned with making himself look good and defending his indefensible actions.
Jason Quotes in Medea
The Medea quotes below are all either spoken by Jason or refer to Jason. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Lines 1-100
Quotes
The people here are well disposed to [Medea],
An exile and Jasons's all obedient wife:
That's the best way for a woman to keep safe –
Not to cross her husband.
But now her deepest love is sick, all turns to hate.
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Lines 201-300
Quotes
My husband has turned out to be the most despicable of men.
Of all the creatures that have life and reason
We women have the worst lot.
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Medea, scowling there with fury at your husband!
I have given orders that you should leave the country:
Take your two sons and go, into exile. No delay!
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Lines 401-500
Quotes
Consider yourself lucky that your punishment
Is merely exile…
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You vile coward! Yes, I can call you that,
The worst name that I know for your unmanliness!
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Lines 501-600
Quotes
As for your spiteful words about my marriage with the princess,
I'll show that what I've done is wise and prudent;
And I've acted out of love for you
And for my sons…
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Jason, you have put a fine gloss on your words.
But – I may not be wise to say this – I think
You've acted wrongly: you have betrayed your wife.
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Lines 1301-1400
Quotes
Hateful creature! O most detestable of women
To the gods and me and all the human race!
You could bring yourself to put to the sword
The children of your womb. You have taken my sons
and destroyed me.
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No Greek woman
Could ever have brought herself to do that.
Yet I rejected them to marry you, a wife
Who brought me enmity and death,
A lioness, not human…
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Jason Quotes in Medea
The Medea quotes below are all either spoken by Jason or refer to Jason. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Lines 1-100
Quotes
The people here are well disposed to [Medea],
An exile and Jasons's all obedient wife:
That's the best way for a woman to keep safe –
Not to cross her husband.
But now her deepest love is sick, all turns to hate.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Lines 201-300
Quotes
My husband has turned out to be the most despicable of men.
Of all the creatures that have life and reason
We women have the worst lot.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Medea, scowling there with fury at your husband!
I have given orders that you should leave the country:
Take your two sons and go, into exile. No delay!
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Lines 401-500
Quotes
Consider yourself lucky that your punishment
Is merely exile…
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
You vile coward! Yes, I can call you that,
The worst name that I know for your unmanliness!
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Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Lines 501-600
Quotes
As for your spiteful words about my marriage with the princess,
I'll show that what I've done is wise and prudent;
And I've acted out of love for you
And for my sons…
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Jason, you have put a fine gloss on your words.
But – I may not be wise to say this – I think
You've acted wrongly: you have betrayed your wife.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Lines 1301-1400
Quotes
Hateful creature! O most detestable of women
To the gods and me and all the human race!
You could bring yourself to put to the sword
The children of your womb. You have taken my sons
and destroyed me.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
No Greek woman
Could ever have brought herself to do that.
Yet I rejected them to marry you, a wife
Who brought me enmity and death,
A lioness, not human…
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
