The Legend of Medea

When Jason landed at Colchis to capture the golden fleece, Medea fell in love with him and, despite her father, helped him.

Medea and Jason have had two children during their life together, but at the opening of Euripides’ Medea, Jason and his father-in-law-to-be, Creon, say Medea and her children must leave the country so that Jason may marry Creon’s daughter Glauce in peace.

Medea asks for and is granted one day’s reprieve, but King Creon was right to be fearful. During that one day’s time Medea confronts Jason, who blames Medea’s banishment on her own temper, rubbing salt into the wound. Medea reminds Jason of what she has sacrificed for him and what evil she has done on his behalf. She reminds him that since she is from Colchis and is therefore a foreigner in Greece, without a Greek mate, she will not be welcome elsewhere. Jason tells Medea that he has given her enough already, but that he will recommend her to the care of his friends (and he has many as witnessed by the gathering of the Argonauts).

Jason’s friends need not be bothered, as it turns out, since Aegeus of Athens arrives and agrees that Medea may find refuge with him. With her future assured, Medea turns to other matters.

Medea is a witch. Jason knows this, as do Creon and Glauce, but Medea seemed appeased, so when she presents a wedding gift to Glauce of a dress and crown, Glauce accepts them. When Glauce puts on the robe it burns her flesh and she dies.

Now both Jason, her husband, and Creon,the king of Corinth with his large army are out to kill her. Medea flies off to Athens in a chariot drawn by a dragon, given to her by the sun god Helios, her great grandfather.

Artist’s Statement

I use only fabric and thread, no paints or inks.