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Euripides was one of the greatest writers of tragic plays in the annals of history. Born in Salamis around the year 485 B.C., Euripides was trained to be an athlete in his early years. But as all ancient Greek educations attempted to be as well rounded as possible, Euripides was well learned in painting and philosiphy as well. At the age of twenty-five Euripides began his lifelong pursuit in the area of drama, and his pre-Socratic influences are an interesting approach to considering his tragic style.
Perhaps Euripides' tragedies are a result of a failure at athletics or possibly because of his two defunct marriages. Whatever the case, Euripides contrasts the themes that he must of acquired from his philosophic mentor Anaxagoras. The idea of the "Mind" as put forth by Anaxagoras is evident in The Medea by Euripides. The Mind is not mentioned from line to line, however the cruel, selfish acts which are controlled by abnormal minds are what this play is inherently all about. Or is it? As Anaxagoras contradicts Empedocles thoughts of "Love and Strife" Euripides is able to show that the mind is indeed controlled by these emmotions.
Anaxagoras: " All other things have a portion of everything, but Mind is infinite and self-ruled...And all things that were to be-those that were and those that are now and those that shall be- Mind arranged them all..." (KRS. pg.363)
Contradicting his old master, Euripides creates The Medea and bases the entire tragedy upon emmotion. Medea is enraged the entire play, and thusly commits horendous acts to avenge herself to her former lover Jason. Jason, in the first place, left his wife to better himself by marring the daughter of a King. Selfishness and individualism, which is pure emmotion, dominate this play.
Empedocles, however, is not the model upon which Euripides focuses his attention. In 544 B.C., a philosipher named Heraclitus of Ephesus was present, and it was from this man that Euripides drew his guidance for his tragedies. Heraclitus was known for his somewhat ambiguous term "Logos". Logos can be described as " the word which animates the universe". " Listening not to me but to the Logos it is wise to agree that all things are one. This idea of Logos is directly corrolated to the role of the chorus in The Medea. The chorus attempts in vain to set Medea on the straight path. Logos is the force which balances out the day-in day-out rigors of life.
Heraclitus: " Therefore it is neccesary to follow the common; but although the Logos is common the many live as though they had a private understanding."(KRS. pg.187)
This quote exemplifies the fact that in The Medea it is almost as if the chorus has a "private understanding" of Medea's pain and her outrage. Perhaps that is why the chorus offers such sage advice.
"Disease makes health pleasant and good, hunger satiety, weariness rest "(KRS. pg.188), says Heraclitus. This explains to the common reader that without failure, pain and defeat, there would be no sucess. During the development of the tragedy, the theme of hatred and betrayal abounds. Remembering that Euripides had immense trouble in his personal marital affairs, an interesting connection to Heraclitus takes shape. Euripides wrote this play to convey to the audience the incredible happiness that accompanies a successful relationship. This play, although a whole-hearted tragedy, is responsible for uplifting spirits. Recognition of one's not so doomed situation is immediate fulfillment and cause for excitement. In the mold of Heraclitus's teachings, Euripides is actually making the audience feel good about themselves. Through pain is recognition of joy. As Heraclitus would say, "The path up and down is one and the same."(KRS. pg.188)