8 Ernest Heinrich Klotsche 



2. The Medea 



The "Medea" was acted in 431 B.C. We may grant that the 

 play is not a faultless one, but even the detractors of Euripides 

 cannot deny it the excellence of true tragic pathos. The char- 

 acter of the heroine of the play, her ardent temperament, her 

 proud and daring spirit are also portrayed in the prayers and 

 curses which the poet puts into her mouth. 



Medea in utter distress imprecates death upon herself : 



Med. 144-48: 



alai, 



5ta IJ.OV Ke4>aKas <i)\b^ ovpavia 

 /Satij tL 8e hol ^rjv ert Kepdos; 

 cj>ev 4>ev' -^avaroo KaT akvcralfxav 

 ^LOTCLV arvyepav irpokiirovcFa. 



" Would God that the flame of lightning from heaven descending, 



descending, 

 Might burn through mine head ! — for in living vi^herein any 



more is my gain? 

 Alas and alas ! Would God I might bring to an ending, an 



ending, 

 The life that I loathe, and behind me might cast all its burden 



of pain 1 " 



The chorus on comprehending the cause of her distress appeal 

 to the Gods and speak words of consolation : 



Med. 149 £f.: 



atey, w ZeD /cat ya /cat (pus, 

 axo.v otav a biiaravos 

 Hekirei vvfi4>a; k. t. X. 



' " O Zeus, Earth, Light, did ye hear her. 

 How waileth the M^oe-laden breath 

 Of the bride in unhappiest plight? etc." 



Then Medea appeals to Artemis in the matter of her marriage 

 imprecating destruction and ruin upon Jason, her forsworn 

 husband : 



Med. 160-65 : 



CO ixeyaXa. Qkixi Kol -kotvI kpTep,L, 

 Xevuaei}' a Tracxco, fxeyd^ois opKois 

 h>b7]crap.tva tov KarapaTOV 



62 



