The Greek playwright Euripides is considered one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens. His individuality is attributed to the way he "pushes the limits of what an audience can bear". His masterpiece Medea, a fascinating classic centered on the Greek goddess Medea, is a prime example of his eccentricity. This play was unpopular at the time of its release because it challenged the common themes of tragedies from the 430s BCE; instead, it introduced a nihilistic, disturbing drama focused on women, slaves, and people from the lower classes. Euripides' mastery shines through as he guides the audience to sympathize with Medea despite her filicide, a seemingly horrific act. He arouses this sympathy through the Chorus, the Nurse and the Children, all of whom are minor characters, who present her as a victim of Jason's actions, establish the evolution of her emotional state and verify the importance of her pride . Although these characters guide the audience to similar concepts, they represent a contradiction regarding the slaughter of children. Medea's chorus is made up of middle-aged Corinthian women who are present on stage throughout the play. They defy their usual focus of limiting themselves to observation and, in Médée, they give their opinions on the events of the production and speak directly to the characters. For example, they warn Jason by saying, “you are doing wrong by abandoning your wife like this” (p. 34). In this quote, they express the thoughts and feelings of the audience, while foreshadowing the consequences of the events. The nurse also shares a similar role with the chorus. Euripides uses it to introduce Medea and give an introduction to the play. She is middle of paper......seeing the deaths as inevitable and Medea's decision to murder them herself as merciful. In the play, Euripides skillfully uses the chorus, nurse, and children to help the audience feel compassion for Medea while portraying her as the victim of Jason's evil, presents Medea's emotional development and the importance of children's pride in her. Besides their different views on the murder, they are generally supportive of each other. Thus, Euripides transforms a story of jealousy and betrayal into a play illustrating the fundamental maternal emotions described by Medea. (1985), page 339All references to Medea are from Euripides, Medea and Another Plays translated by Philip Vellacott, Harmonsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books, 1963.