Women and Femininity in Medea Women’s rights movements have made incredible progress in recent times. Although there are many countries around the world where women are facing political and social unjustness, the social class of women in ancient Greece of 5th century BCE was solely grounded by patriarchal ideologies. The Greek playwright Euripides creates a persistent character Medea, in his classic tragedy Medea. Today, scholars study this relentless protagonist who has become an eternal and timeless symbol of femininity and womenfolk revolt. Whilst many themes such as passion, vengeance, and exile are present within Euripides’ Medea, the theme of women and femininity is critically manifested throughout the interactions of its central character Medea. While this theme is prominently motivated by the values of patriarchal ideology, the cunning characterization of Medea quickly alters in the beginning of the tragedy. Medea’s first tirade acts as a catalyst in her vengeful epiphany towards Jason with the use of the former characters’ words and actions and ultimately Medea’s words and actions. Within the context of Medea’s first tirade, the theme of women and femininity is initially established through her address to the Greek Chorus. Moreover, Medea’s characterization begins to alter as her interactions progress. To begin the tirade, Medea merely addresses the Greek Chorus, “Ladies of Corinth, I’ve come out, you see. I’ve come out, in a way, to defend myself” (Euripides and Townsend 316). Since the Chorus1 is identified to be a chorus of Corinthian women, the initial link between Medea and the Greek Chorus is established. The above quote clearly states a primary trust between the two feminine parties. The idea of coming out of her house symbolically represents transition from her private life into public life. Medea leaves her private house at the behest of the