MEDEIA DE EURÍPIDES ENTRE A SOPHIA GREGA

The play Medea, by Euripides (c. 480–406 BCE), was staged in March 431 BCE during the theatrical competition of the Great Dionysia. The work portrays the story of a woman who, for generations, has been known as the one who murdered her own children. However, at the time of its presentation, it was awarded third and last place, with the winner being Euphorion—now forgotten. Its continued presence in the theatrical repertoire, however, allows for an analysis of both the Greek society at the time of its composition and the role played by Euripides himself in that context. Thus, through the character of Medea and the sophia she claims, it becomes possible to reflect on the category Euripides seems to construct for himself, as well as on the educational function of tragedy in the Greek context. The analysis is based on excerpts from the play in which Medea's sophia is evident, also considering the social role of tragedy.