Medea

“A refugee who’s won respect, admired—stable, / domestic—supporting her husband as she should.” 

Early in the play, Medea’s Nurse makes clear a point Medea will reemphasize later (490-3): Medea was at no fault at all in the divorce. She supported Jason as a wife and produced male heirs for his line, behaving exactly as society dictated she should. Their separation was entirely Jason’s call and was, according to the Nurse and Medea, for his own selfish purposes.

“Poor woman, misfortune’s taught her what it means / to live without a country.” 

Exiles were some of the most vulnerable members of Greek society besides slaves. After the divorce, Medea has nowhere to turn—she was driven from her own country for helping Jason, and now Jason has cut her loose with no allies in a foreign land. She is a citizen of nowhere.

“That marriage is finished. He has a new wife . / He’s no longer bound to honor Medea.” 

The Tutor neatly summarizes Jason’s position. Because he has legally divorced Medea and remarried, he owes Medea little now.