A feminist is defined in the dictionary as, "one who believes in the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes." At the time of Ancient Greece, no such thing as feminism existed. Women were expected to be glorified domestic servants, serving at their husband's will. However, the main character in "Medea" by Euripides is a representation of feminist feelings and thoughts that are contrary to those that women were expected to have. .
Medea is shown at the beginning of the play as a disgruntled and depressed alien woman. She feels that women as a whole receive appalling injustices due to the necessity of marriage, followed by near enslavement by their husbands. Medea also reveals in her monologue that, "But when a man is vexed with what he finds indoors, he goeth forth and rids his soul of its disgust, betaking him to some friend or comrade of like age; whilst we must needs regard his single self And yet they say we live secure at home, while they are at the wars, with their sorry reasoning, for I would gladly take my stand in battle array three times o'er, than once give birth." (Euripides) In saying this, Medea is showing that she truly has several feministic beliefs. She explains that she doesn"t understand that men can have friends, while women can only live for their husbands alone and that women are not inferior to men, and can just as easily, and in some cases, would rather bear arms then bear children. .
Medea's beliefs were in extreme contrast to those that women were expected to have at this time. As stated before, women were considered simply "glorified servants", and were essentially their husband's property. They were not allowed to work, vote, be educated or do anything that was considered to be a man's responsibility. By using Medea's monologues and actions throughout the play, Euripides was able to show his audience how women, particularly alien women, were treated in this society.
