Journal Entry 1 Medea

The chorus' in Medea and Oedipus vary greatly. For starters, the most obvious difference is who comprises of the different chorus'. In Oedipus, the whole chorus is citizens of his city, so you can infer that there are both men and women in that group. In Medea however, the chorus is only comprised of women. This shows the gender roles that were around during Greek century were very different. Men tended to only care about those who were in higher power than themselves, usually only other men, while leaving any woman who is not young and desirable to rot. Women on the other hand cared for those men in power as well as other women around them. Another difference between the 2 chorus' is how they act. In Oedipus the king, the chorus wanted Oedipus to solve the problems in the sick city of Thebes. Before the tragedy of Oedipus is revealed, Oedipus is seen as a grand figure willing to help the denizens of his city any way that he can; so it is the chorus who needs help. In Medea, the role is reversed. Instead, it is the chorus' that comes to try to comfort Medea, who is in emoitonal distraut over Jason choosing another woman over her. Medea is seen as a very emotionally hurt woman in the beginning of the play, one who seeks vengence as well. The chorus is there to try to comfort her, instead of Medea helping the chorus.