Medea Comparison Contrast Essay Step 4 of 4
- 1. Jason,<br /> I hope you are suffering. This was your fault for crossing me. I am proud, and I kill those who offend me. If people think me weak, they are mistaken. Medea is strong and deserves respect. <br /> You seduction caused me to defy my father, kill my brother and Pelias. These actions made us outcasts. You burdened us with children as I withered away my prime. Now, with no home, you abandon me for a younger wife. You have the audacity to claim you do it for my benefit? It infuriates me that you think me so gullible as to believe your lies. You’re a coward, a liar, and a cheat. For all your misdeeds you deserve to suffer.<br /> If I killed you, you would not suffer enough. I wanted you to suffer longer, so instead I killed your loved ones. King Creon’s death means nothing to you. I killed him because he threatened me with exile. No one threatens Medea. Killing the princess gave me joy. She had it coming. No one steals Medea’s man. I knew it would hurt you, but not enough. You are a philanderer and could easily forget your affections for Cruesa and move on. <br /> I had to hurt the one thing I knew you loved -- your children. They were, alas, the only cudgel. Killing them was the only way I could hurt you deeply enough to satisfy my desire for revenge.<br /> Had your deeds been the gods, they would have ordered a similar punishment. Uranus imprisoned his children for life. Cronus devoured his children. I do not feel they would be disturbed by my bloody deed. It is how the gods themselves behave. Thus, my actions were just. May you live long and suffer dearly.<br />Your ex-wife, Medea<br />Dear Medea,<br />Your letter finds me a broken man. There is no joy in my life. I suffer every waking moment. You have succeeded. I hope you are satisfied.<br /> Your attempt to justify your actions and blame me, however, is full of holes. You are to blame. First, it was not you but Hera who helped me obtain the Golden Fleece. It was Aphrodite who sent Eros to enchant you. You succumbed to their spell and did evil to your father and brother because of your own uncontrollable passions. You did not have to kill your brother. If King Aeëtes’ ships had caught up with ours, we would have fought them man to man, and may the best army win. I did not ask you to intercede. You killed him on your own.<br /> You killed Pelias also without consulting me. I could have predicted that the people of Iolcus would turn on you. Had we worked together, we could have found a more peaceful way to my rightful throne. You made us into exiles.<br /> Though we shared two children and happy years together, your evil temper drove me away. You have left too much bloodshed in your wake. You are murderous. I fear for the welfare of my friends and myself. Your hatred has proven to be stronger than your love.<br /> Your passions have taken control over your reason. This allows you to justify all the evil murders that you committed. Forget about the gods and their illusory existence. The mortal truth which civilized people live by is that a mother’s bond with her children is sacred. Under no circumstances must a mother abandon her offspring. It is not in our mortal nature. Revenge because of pride, anger, and envy, is not a just cause to break that bond. Be alone with your pride.<br />