Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Journal Entry 2 Medea

Both Jason and Medea have a very different outlooks on the different of the Gods. Besides evoking the names of traditional gods, such as Zeus, the characters appear to hold a certain regard towards other gods. Medea seems to have more respect for the gods, espeacilly Hecate, or Artemis, who is the goddess of magic and witchcraft. This can be seen in how Medea states that "Hectate, [...] the goddess who abides in the shrine of my inner hearth-the one I reverence most of all the gods and chosen to abet me" (pg 45, line 396-399). This choosing of a female goddess represents how she is a feminist and believes in the power of women, instead of a more traditional woman who puts faith into Zeus and Apollo or even Posiedon. It also makes it sound like Medea works with the gods, instead of getting them to do things for her, and holding reverance towards them. Jason has a much different outlook on the gods. Jason also talks a female goddess, the goddess Aphrodite. Yet, Jason says how "it was Aphrodite adn no one else in heaven or earth who saved me on my voyage" (pg 50, line 526-527). By saying it in this way, Jason seems not to hold as much respect for the gods, since he is not speaking about Aphrodite with reverance. Also shows how men hold themselves above women, since he is saying how Aphrodite did his bidding for him and saved Jason.

The comparison of Medea and Jason's beliefs in the greek to emphsize the aspect of men in society. It is significant, for it shows that men see themselves above women in all aspects, even the women gods themselves.

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