Part 1 of Essay
1. Why does Medea kill her children: 1. Jason has betrayed her 2. Vengeance: to leave him childless in old age 3. Failed heroism 2. Revenge-drama: 1. Medea gravely wronged by Jason 1. Jason a non-citizen and exile offered opportunity to marry princess of Corinth, inherit throne 2. Medea regarded as concubine and ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... of rites for children 3. Transcending female nature--denial of maternity Medea as Archetype of Child-Murderess 1. Original myth: Corinthians kill children in retribution for death of Creon Crossing of Gender Boundaries 1. Medea as female 1. Incorporates forces of chaos 2. Represents the non-human and non-Greek 2. Medea as male 1. Successfully avenges slighted honor 2. Punishes breaker of oaths and so acts as agent of divine justice--classic patriarchal role 3. Contrast with Penelo ....