Thematic Antithesis in Greek Tragedies Essay - 1358 Words

Thematic Antithesis in Greek Tragedies The binary oppositions in Euripides plays, Medea and Bacchae, emphasize the structural techniques seen throughout both of the plays works are â€Å"[described as] a pair of theoretical opposites or thematic contrasts† (Marvin 1). The themes are highly symmetrical throughout and typical of the structure of Greek tragedies. Euripides use of thematic antithesis gives greater irony within Greek plays. The gender roles of female and male challenge the traditional stereotypical roles as observed in Greek society, and when those roles are crossed or blurred, the rational becomes irrational and the order of civilized Greek society itself falls into disorder. Euripides manipulates the characters, through†¦show more content†¦She then manipulates Jason, who is cautious but confident within his male supremacy, allowing himself to be swayed into believing that she means no harm to him or his new wife. Podlecki points out that â€Å"[A] new, and false, note of submissiveness on Medea’s part† allows Jason to be lulled into a false sense of security (74; note 970). She then uses the words â€Å"that you bring up the children yourself: A master-stroke by Medea, appealing to Jason’s fatherly instincts,† which results in the death of his bride and her father (73; note 939). The empowerment she gains throughout the play allows her to break free of the expectation for women in Greek society of tending the home and raising the children. This empowerment manifests itself physically, allowing her to commit her final act of revenge, usually reserved for men, to murder her own two children in order to promote the s uffering of Jason. Further evidence of female empowerment over the male is seen within the Bacchae when the townswomen leave their homes to head up to Mt. Cithaeron. The devotion to the god Dionysus gives the women of Thebes the opportunity to challenge the female stereotypes, thus empowering them to break free of the mold imposed on them by Greek male society. Throughout the play we cannot help but notice that Pentheus is preoccupied by the thoughts of what the women are doing up on the mountain. He believes the women are performing sexual acts and â€Å"implies that the maenads intoxicateShow MoreRelatedBinary Opposition In Euripides1203 Words   |  5 PagesBinary Opposition in the Works of Euripides Binary opposition, as defined by Corey Marvin â€Å"simply describes a pair of theoretical opposites or thematic contrasts.† Euripides uses binary opposition as an effective literary device in both the Medea and the Bacchae. One of the overarching dichotomies in both works is masculinity versus femininity. In the Medea, the protagonist flips the gender roles, and in the Bacchae, Dionysus’ androgynous nature allows him to often adopt a feminine persona in theRead MoreEssay about History: World War I and Bold Experiments7600 Words   |  31 Pagespages, you’ll find the Thematic Timeline and Essay for Part 5 from America’s History, exercises to review your knowledge of the period, and AP-style questions that address the time period covered: 15 practice multiple-choice questions, 1 document-based question, and 3 free-response questions. Answers with page references to America’s History can be found at the end. Broward 115 116 F PART 5 Bold Experiments in an Era of Industrialization, 1877–1929 thematic timeline and Part Essay Read MoreEssay on The Gothic Genre and What it Entails6177 Words   |  25 Pages The invaluable works of our elder writers re driven into neglect by frantic novels, sickly and stupid German Tragedies, and deluges of idle and extravagant stories in verse. The human mind is capable of being excited without the application of gross and violent stimulants.. William Wordsworth, Preface to The Lyrical Ballads, 1802. ..Phantasmagoric kind of fiction, whatever one may think of it, is not without merit: twas the inevitable result of revolutionaryRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesaway. It doesn’t do any good to argue. c. Listen ï ¬ rst, and then try to discuss the issue. 11. When I encounter someone who has just experienced a major loss or tragedy, I . . . a. Really don’t know what to do or say. b. Tell the person I feel very sorry and try to provide support. c. Share a time when I experienced a similar loss or tragedy. 12. When someone makes a racist joke or tells a crude story about a member of the opposite sex in mixed company, I usually . . . a. Point out that this is inappropriate