Medea

The Nurse notices that Medea is intensely angry and distressed. She pleads with Medea to try to control her emotions, expressing her fear about the actions Medea might be contemplating. Medea explains that she is determined to have revenge, and to use the one day that she has to wreak as much havoc as possible: “I do not mind that the time is brief/It will go far” (III. 422-423).

Medea complains bitterly that Jason has been too cowardly to come and speak to her. She also wonders if Jason could have negotiated to secure more time for her before she goes into exile, but then changes her mind, and states that the time she has is sufficient for her purposes. She alludes darkly to a dramatic deed that she is contemplating. The Nurse again urges Medea to calm down, but Medea says that she will happily cause destruction even as she meets her own demise.

Jason enters, bemoaning his bad luck. He explains that he was forced to choose between staying faithful to his wife or being killed. He had seen Medea kill members of her own family and therefore was worried about protecting his children from her.