This course will consider the figure of Medea from Greek mythology and explore how her story has been reimagined and recontextualized from classical antiquity until the present day. As a mythical character, Medea resists easy categorization into a single archetypal role: she is portrayed as a resourceful “helper-maiden” whose aid is essential to the hero’s quest, a skilled and powerful enchantress, an alienated outsider in Greek society, and a scorned wife who famously takes her revenge by killing her own children. By examining literary representations of Medea from the ancient world alongside more contemporary reworkings of the myth, we will consider questions such as: What draws us to characters who commit horrifying acts of violence? Why has Medea’s murder of her children—an episode probably invented by Euripides—become the focal point of most retellings of her story? Why is Medea associated with both creativity and destruction? How have modern writers used Medea’s identity as a foreigner in Greece to explore issues related to nationalism and exile? And why do certain mythic characters remain part of our collective imagination while others fall into obscurity?

Books to purchase: TBA

Please note that this course has a maximum enrollment of 16 students and that TMI does not allow participants to audit courses for free.

Location: Atwater

First Session: Thursday, April 17th, 2025

Course Length: 6 weeks, Thursdays, 6:15 to 8:15 p.m.

Discussion Team: Marilyn Kaplow and Louise Jarette                           

Degree Credit: 1.5 credits

Total Course Fee:

$110.00 (New Students)

$110.00 (Special Bring-A-Friend Promotion: For Returning Students who bring a New Student to TMI. Register by phone.)*

$155.00 (Returning Students)**

*Note on Bring-A-Friend Promotion for Returning Students: The special 140.00 price is applied immediately if the friend, the New Student, registers first. If the New Student has not yet registered, the regular 200.00 will be charged, and the discount will be refunded when the New Student registers. The discount can also be turned into a credit for a future course.

**Includes Standard Tuition + Admin Fee.

Course fees are refundable in full before the first session. After the first session, a fee of $50 for the withdrawal will be applied. Refunds will not be issued after the second session. Please note that non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal.

Course leaders, and students wishing to use credit vouchers, should call (514) 935-9585 to pay by phone or to schedule an appointment to pay in person.