Intro to World Lit paper

Motivation plays a role behind every decision a person makes, whether they are driven by their own greed, self-indulgence, or their individual set of morals something inspires them to make a choice. There are those who have very strong beliefs and certainty behind their decisions while others lack much confidence at all; they let others make their own decisions and do not really care either way. This difference in human beings can be seen between Medea in Euripides’ Medea and Antigone in Anouilh’s Antigone. The revelation of each character’s individual process of decision making, their relationships, along with their actions, illustrates their levels of conviction, ultimately defining the purpose of each character’s life and why they decide to make the choices that they do.

1st Paragraph:
Both Medea and Antigone have to make some very big decisions in these two works, the only difference being how they come to those decisions. Evoking pity from the audience, Medea naturally feels pain and sadness after Jason marries another woman and she asks herself, “What good is left for me in living?” (1.1.145). Depressed, Medea cannot find any motivation for living anymore… until she makes a choice. She tells the Chorus of women, “a test awaits the newlyweds, no little ordeal for the happy pair” (1.1.366-367). This quote foreshadows Medea’s actions in trying to get back at Jason for marrying another woman and Creon for exiling her along with her sons. This reveals that revenge exists as Medea’s only motivation now for living.

2nd Paragraph:
Antigone’s motivation for her actions remains quite the opposite of Medea’s. Antigone, known as being young and reserved; like a “thin little creature” (Antigone 3) who prefers to be alone, has a secret strength that no one sees until she goes against the law set by her uncle, King Creon. Antigone sees going against the law as something destined to happen. While talking with Ismene about the whole idea she compares their actions to Creon’s, “He will do what he has to do, and we will do what we have to do. He is bound to put us to death. We are bound to go out and bury our brother. That’s the way it is” (Antigone 11). She views burying her brother as a duty, something that she has to do not matter what the consequences. Even though Ismene tries to make her understand that the consequence will be death, Antigone feels fully aware of that fact and still wants to carry out the deed. She stands by her own belief of what is right and wrong, not by what the law or anyone else says. Antigone and Medea contrast in that way because purely revenge motivates Medea whereas Antigone’s own set of morals motivates and drives her. Both of these reasons bring about consequences that both women are willing to face, showing their inner strength and courage of conviction.