Medea is a character used for explaining specific cultural beliefs and traditions entailing Greek mythology. The ancient community had a civilization structure that determined public leadership (Graf). Traditionally, verbal concessions were typical among community members, and each party obliged with every agreement term. Medea and Jason dominate the entire plot after escaping from Colchis (Dillon).
In essence, Jason was sent by King Pelias of Iolcos. Individuals conspired to acquire expensive materials made of rare metals due to their high value in quality and wealth. Medea comes out as a defiant daughter of King Aeetes of Colchis in the mythology (Karakis 3). Her subsequent actions are concerning as she kills her siblings in pursuit of personal gains. This literary analysis discusses fundamental social and political themes. Most importantly, the Greek Mythology presented by Medea evaluates the relevance of cultural beliefs and myths in enhancing specific values depicted in ancient kingdoms.
Ancient Greek depicted high levels of civilization, as evidenced in various mythologies. Leadership was a societal value that was attributed to unique individual and social abilities. In this case, the position of kingship was the highest in political rankings, equivalent to the presidency in modern-day practices (Karakis 3). Individuals aspire to these positions due to associated social, economic, and political benefits. For example, kings acquired the most extensive tracts of land during their reigns in power (Berkowitz 40). In Medea, nonetheless, leadership is depicted between the two kings of Colchis and Iolcos (Graf).
The rivalry was also typical in ancient kingdoms across Greek. Powerful empires would expand their territories by engaging in military conflicts. Jason is depicted as an intruder intended to steal a valuable product from King Pelias (Dillon). Greek mythology identifies a conspiracy involving the king’s daughter Medea. Most importantly, the element of leadership in Greek mythology was characterized by concessions and plots.
Moreover, death is another aspect of standard practices in ancient communities. Individuals murdered each other for succeeding in malicious activities. The Greek mythology in discussion highlights how characters used death to achieving individual objectives (Berkowitz 40). For instance, Medea murdered her brother Absyrtus and dismembered his body parts to delay the king from catching those (Karakis 5). Additionally, the daughters of King Pelias murdered their father after incitement from Medea. In this case, the main intention was for Jason to occupy the throne. This indicates that death was an instrument of obtaining personal goals in ancient communities. Greek mythology, however, warns that such activities have severe social and political consequences (Dillon).
For instance, perpetrators of murders were hanged or stoned to death guided by cultural beliefs and traditions. Similarly, ancient leaders would order arrests for imprisoning individuals threatening the throne (Karakis 6). This was depicted by Medea when she incited the king’s daughters to kill their father. Most importantly, Medea lost her family and husband due to ill-intentions against close friends and relatives.
Moreover, traditional communities also engaged in partnerships through agreements. Concessions were verbal or symbolic when sealing a deal, while others had to be recorded using text. Jason and Medea, in Greek mythology, agreed on an escape if the former acquired the fleece. He endured a series of challenges intended to test his patience, courage, and bravery. For example, Jason was taken through a task involving fire-breathing oxen not easy for ordinary persons.
He was also told to place dragon teeth in a sowing field which he ploughed earlier. A conspiracy between the two was founded on an escape plan after obtaining the Golden Fleece (Karakis 7). Agreements were binding for all parties involved, and breaching terms would attract severe consequences. People would kill each other when sensitive secrets leaked to the public. Most notably, Greek mythology depicted concessions that conspired to kill family members.
Heroism is another critical aspect of many ancient communities, as evidenced by Jason. Acquiring valuable products and items guarded by armed soldiers was considered a heroic act. Similarly, escaping with the king’s daughter was punishable by death as leaders would take personal offense in such crimes (Graf). Medea was tactical in planning her escape with Jason. She facilitated the poisoning of the sleepless guardian of the Golden Fleece for Jason to acquire the product and escape together. (Berkowitz 40).
Sailing away was a heroic act that indicated a significant accomplishment. In essence, heroism was intended for varying purposes in Greek mythology. For example, saving a community from suffering through military prowess was highly recognized by ancient leaders. Fundamentally, heroism was familiar among individuals who managed to escape oppression.
In conclusion, Greek mythologies were helpful in enhancing specific cultural beliefs and values. Leadership was an essential social attribute that depicted levels of civilization and political power. Kings consolidated wealth by acquiring important valuables, including the Golden Fleece. Conspiracies leading to death were also common in ancient societies, as evidenced by Medea. Individuals were murdered for specific achievements, which involved theft or leadership contests to occupy the throne. Greek mythology also identifies acts of heroism in improving specific social values. In this context, nonetheless, the practice was implemented for an escape plan after obtaining the Golden Fleece.
Works Cited
Berkowitz, Sara K. “Staging Death: Performing Greek Myths in Roman Arena Executions.” Chronika, Volume VII, 2017, p.40.
Dillon, John. 9 Medea among the Philosophers. Princeton University Press, 2021.
Graf, Fritz. 1 Medea, the Enchantress from Afar: Remarks on a Well-Known Myth. Princeton University Press, 2021.
Karakis, Ioannis. “Neuroscience and Greek mythology.” Journal of the History of the Neurosciences vol. 28, no.1, 2019, pp.1-22.