Euripides Feminism Vs Misogynist - 1422 Words

Kasey Sanchez Mr. De Filippis English 4 (H) P.5 December 12 2015 Euripides: Proto Feminism Vs Misogynist At the time of writing Medea in ancient Greece it was the complete norm for men to be incredibly misogynistic sexist, and although there are many that say otherwise, Euripides falls under the same category as the men of the time. Scholars, professors, and students alike proclaim that Euripides was one of the first few men who would be considered a feminist, a â€Å"champion of woman’s equality† (Wright 7), because of his writing of Medea, a play which depicts a demigod woman by the name of Medea wreaking revenge upon her unfaithful husband. Many would instantly attach themselves to the idea that Euripides was a feminist first by reading Medea’s grand speech at the beginning at of the play. Hadas refers to the speech as being â€Å"a fine feminist harangue† and also notes that English suffragettes would campaign for their ability to vote first by opening their meetings with a recital of the speech. Me dea is going against men and their view of women and their place in a marriage â€Å"a critique whose essential spirit of dislike and contempt of women goes back to an ancient anti-feministic tradition†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Reckford 336). Medea, as well, is portrayed as no weak, foolish women; instead she is depicted as â€Å"a woman of great intellectual capacity† (March 38) who even in her most monstrous form, when she kills her children in the name of retribution and vengeance, is still being