Medea's Irony

It is through drawing on the experiences of women, particularly the social and economic injustices they face, that Medea earns our sympathy. Medea compares women to slaves with no control over their money or bodies as she explains, “We must save to raise a dowry; then the man that agrees to marry us becomes master of our bodies.” (Euripides p.16) and also notes the importance of ensuring one’s husband does not “ever think he’s trapped in the marriage.” (Euripides p.17) The stark contrast between the female and male experience of marriage is used by Medea to highlight the inequality faced by women. She does this again by explaining the irony in men telling women that they are “lucky to live safe at home while [men] take up their spears and go