TRANSFORMATION OF THE MEDEA MYTH ACROSS TIME AND SPACE: CHALLENGES OF EUROPEAN LITERATURE

Abstract

The present paper explores the evolution of the archaic myth of Medea and the Argonauts, focusing on its interpretative diversity within the European literary landscape. The study aims to demonstrate how the figure of Medea transcends temporal and cultural boundaries, adapting to the intellectual challenges of various eras—from Classicism to Postmodernism. The research analyzes the works of three pivotal authors who present Medea’s persona in fundamentally different contexts.

The first part of the study examines Pierre Corneille’s Medea, where the character is portrayed through the lens of Classical principles as a rational being capable of profound self-reflection. The author emphasizes Jason’s political pragmatism and cynicism, which adds a dimension of defending personal dignity to Medea’s tragedy. The second part is dedicated to Jean Anouilh’s existentialist drama, in which Medea serves as a symbol of absolute freedom and the rejection of compromise. Here, she stands in opposition to a society enslaved by the pursuit of "bread" and material well-being. The third part analyzes Christa Wolf’s Medea: Voices, offering a postmodern, feminist, and postcolonial reinterpretation. In Wolf’s narrative, Medea is not a child-killing sorceress, but rather a victim of social intrigue and "otherness," representing a modern, humanistic rehabilitation of the myth.

The study concludes that Medea’s transformation across time and space is driven not only by literary trends but also by socio-political contexts. In contemporary European texts, Medea represents a complex archetype that transcends personal revenge, gaining global significance as a manifesto for the struggle against gender inequality, cultural identity issues, and the pursuit of individual liberty. She remains an eternal figure "beyond time and borders," constantly responding to the pressing challenges of modernity.

Keywords: Medea myth, Transformation, European literature, Existentialism, Feminism, Cultural identity, Reinterpretation.