Welcome to Litsy!

Having read Medea a few years ago & watched on TV a theatrical performance of Euripides' play, I've been wanting to see Pasolini's 1970 film version starring Maria Callas, and finally managed to do so.
It's a phantasmagorical mix of mythology, historical drama and folk horror, surreal in places, bloody in others, and with amazing cinematography, locations and costumes. Callas is appropriately spellbinding in the title role.

When I was doing a university course on Greek tragedies I remember having disorienting dreams for that entire term. The week we read Medea was the worst; some version of her kept entering my unconscious as I slept. The dreams were NUTS. I'm happy to report that reading it again (this time in the Philip Vellacott translation) remains a disturbing experience. Her rage & single-mindedness is chilling, even as she knows she's doing something horrific.

Medea is betrayed and abandoned by her husband Jason when he runs off with a younger woman

#betrayal #ithadtobeyou @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Damn, girl...

Ben Power‘s version / adaptation is STUNNING!

Medea married Jason (of the Argo) and bore him two sons but Soon Jason‘s eyes and ambition wondered. He set Medea aside so he could marry a princess, abandoning his first family. Medea rails against the injustice of it and I was on her side until she brings murder into it.

I switched it up with this short read. It is very good.

Medea murders her children after Jason betrays her for a younger, more politically useful woman.

#jealousy

#augustabc

Amazing

@Rachel.Rencher told me to read this one because she loved it so much in high school. It took a while for me to feel invested in the story, but the ending was intense. 😱

1. Going to the theatre tomorrow to see Medea. Just now making a cup of tea to drink while rereading the play - gotta be prepared 😎
2. Donuts
3. Not yet. All plans were confused by the 3rd season of Doctor Who🍿Tennant is too wonderful to stop.
4. We've got only two working days this week because of the Labor Day (paradox 😁), and it surely feels great.
5. Tagging anyone interested in the game!

#friyayintro
@jesshowbooks

Day three of my World Lit I mini-session: Greek Tragedies and Euripides Medea (not to be confused with Tyler Perry‘s Madea). What I love about teaching this text is my students‘ reactions to the characters‘ actions. 🤣

I guess it‘s better than not reading at all, but not my favorite thing I‘ve ever read. For a class read though it could be worse!

#30daysofreadathon Day 29: Short Book
Looking at my shelves, I had to give a shoutout to these classics I still own from college! Short, but these definitely still take concentration to get through! #readathon

Beware the betrayed faithful spouse.

One of my favorite plays to teach. The students also love it. It gets them in heated discussion!

This audiobook is a collection of really interesting lectures about world literature. From Gilgamesh to Borges. Today I am on the chapter of Greek Tragedy.

Don't be afraid of the ancient classics! This is my favorite by Euripides. The tale is terrible, yet so timeless: the scorned spouse gives into wrath and destroys everything. We feel Medea's anguish, that of the chorus, OMG the children's fear, and even Jason's. So very sad.