Key Moment 3

• What happens in this moment?

  Aegeus, king of Athens, walks in to see Medea and they embrace, demonstrating that they are good friends. Aegeus has great sympathy for Medea's situation. Medea wishes for sanctuary in Athens. In return, she will grant Aegeus children. He agrees to this, but to avoid being reprimanded by Creon, she must travel alone. Medea makes Aegeus formally swear to protect her.
• What is the motivation of the character?

  Medea wants Aegeus to provide her with sanctuary in Athens. In some ways, she is using her friend for her own benefit, and although we see Medea's genuine happiness for the first time in the play, perhaps she is also being nice to Aegeus because she wants something from him. Towards the end of the scene, we realise that Medea is manipulating Aegeus slightly. She has promised something she knows Aegeus cares deeply about in return for something she wants.
• What emotions do they show?

  Medea shows genuine happiness and joy when they embrace at the beginning. She also shows excitement to see her old friend. However, perhaps there is a small amount of selfish intent behind it.
• What is their relationship with another character on stage like?

  It is obvious that Medea is good friends with Aegeus because she greets him with an embrace, and is not at all defensive. She relaxes immediately within his presence.

  Aegeus is very friendly towards Medea and he also embraces the boys. He has brought them presents and acts like a father towards them.
• Key Lines

  Aegeus - 'hail, Medea!'

  'ohhhhh'

  Aegeus - 'no friend was ever greeted fairer'

  'Welcome, Aegeus, king of athens'

  'I'd visit my old friend'
• Voice

  Medea's voice becomes louder to emphasize how happy she is to see Aegeus. The energy of her voice also increases as she is excited to see him.

  She says 'welcome' in a warm and friendly tone - she is not putting on a front or using false emotions.

  When she says, 'king of Athens' she says it in a slightly mocking way. However, it is a friendly tone, and this demonstrates that they must be good friends, as Medea is able to tease Aegeus.
• Movement?

  It is clear that there is no tension between them, as Medea physically relaxes in his presence. All the weight of previous scenes disappears, and we see a completely different side to Medea. Her manipulative manner fades in this scene.
• Interaction?

  Medea turns around slowly, to see who has entered, and realises it is her old friend. She rushes over towards him, looks at him with pure happiness and excitement, and they embrace. She makes eye contact with Aegeus, showing that she is glad that he has arrived. He puts her hand on his face, showing they are very close to each other.

  Later on, Aegeus tries to comfort Medea, and allows her to let out her anger. He pities her, and allows her and her children to stay in his kingdom, in return for Medea giving him children.
• What was the actor communicating about the character? How was it effective?


  Helen McCrory shows as that Medea is extremely content. We see that she is finally meeting somebody that she trusts, and who will look after her. Aegeus is like a space of safety/he is security for Medea, and he is also powerful so her can help her.

  It was effective, because we realize that Medea is not just pretending to be happy, or putting on an act, but instead, she is showing her true emotions.