Medea: Lines 801-900 Summary & Analysis

The Chorus begins its third choral ode, calling the Athenians children of the gods and their land holy. They say that the nine Muses created Harmony there and that Aphrodite sends young Loves to sit with Wit and helps create the Athenian's diverse arts. The Chorus questions how such a sacred city could shelter a child-killer then begs and beseeches Medea not to kill her children. How can she kill her own sons and not weep? How will she keep her nerve?

Jason enters saying that, despite Medea's ill-will, he will listen to her. Medea deceitfully apologizes for what she said to him before and reminds him how they once showed each other kindness. She says that she has been berating herself while he was away because she has realized that his plan to marry the Princess was sensible and that he is doing what is right. She reflected, she says, and realized how stupid she was.

Women, Medea says, are—she "won't say bad"—but they "are what they are." She asks his pardon for the way she acted and admits she was wrong. She calls the children out from the house and they enter through the door. She tells them to embrace Jason. She feigns fear that the children won't live long because of their impending exile. She weeps on one of the boys. The Chorus interrupts to say it too is weeping and hopes things don't get worse.

Jason is glad that Medea has come around to his view and says he doesn't blame her, even excuses her behavior based on her sex. He calls her "a sensible woman." He then tells his children he has made their future secure and that he thinks that one day they will be leading men in Corinth. Jason notices Medea weeping afresh and asks her why. She says she is thinking of the children. He says he will provide for them. She says she trusts him, that woman is "the weaker sex" and "born to tears" and he questions her again about why she is weeping over the boys.