Desire and character in Medea

At the outset, Medea is portrayed as a disheartened woman betrayed by her husband in the pursuit of another lover. She is observed to be a woman of extreme emotion and one of great devotion to her family, and above all her husband. Her character, which is seemingly that of a very peaceful and rational spirit, abruptly shifts to develop into an intemperate heart with the definite goal of destruction in mind. Instead of choosing a path involving that of mercy and reason, Medea allows for her passion; her desire for true love's revenge, to overpower the original subtle portion of her characte…