Describe the different ways we can view Medea’s character in the opening of the play (to page 25)

The opening of the play sees Medea viewed in several different ways. Medea is portrayed as being victimised as she has been betrayed by Jason as he chose to marry Creon’s daughter to elevate his social status. Medea can also be seen as dangerous because in the past she killed her brother and deceived her father.
In the play Medea is shown as victimised because of her treatment by Jason. When the nurse states "Wails aloud for her dear father, her own land and home, which she betrayed and left to come here with this man who now spurns and insults her" she explains that Medea left her former life to be with Jason and raise a family. It also shows that Medea is left alone, homeless and victimised. Medea’s physical state is further shown when the nurse says "She will not eat; she lies collapsed in agony, dissolving the long hours in tears" This portrays Medea as being physically unable to do anything and as being emotionally distressed. It also explains how heartbroken and distraught Medea is. Jason’s betrayal towards Medea is described when the nurse says "Jason has betrayed his own sons and my mistress for a royal bed, for alliance with the King of Corinth" This shows that Jason betrayed Medea so he would become closer with the royal family. It also explains how both Medea and her sons have been victimised by Jason.
Medea is shown as dangerous at the beginning of the play when the nurse is explaining Medea’s physical and emotional state to the tutor. This is shown when she states "She is a frightening woman; no one who makes an enemy of her will carry off an easy victory" This quote explains that Medea is in a dangerous and mental state. It also shows that anyone who becomes an enemy of Medea will not be easily forgiven, in this case Jason. Medea’s state is explained further when the nurse says "You do your best to keep them by themselves, as long as she's in this dark mood; don't let them go to her. I've watched her watching them, her eye like a wild bull's. There's something that she meant to do; and I know this; she’ll not relax her rage till it has found its victim." The nurse is talking about Medea’s children and doesn’t want them near her as she can see rage and anger building up in Medea and the nurse is worried Medea will do something dangerous to her children. She is warning the tutor about Medea’s dangerous state saying “She’ll not relax her rage till it has found its victim”. Through saying this, the nurse is showing the readers how unsafe and crazy Medea is becoming.
Jason’s actions and betrayal towards Medea make her feel many different emotions such as heartbroken, alone and angry. Overall Medea’s mental and physical state changes a lot throughout the beginning of the play and the way she is viewed by the reader changes from being victimised to being mental and dangerous.