Euripides' Medea, a fine example of a Greek opera. The entire run of the show takes place in a single day, making it precedent-setting in more ways than one. We study it in college courses around America, but does it really meet the criteria for a Greek work? It could perhaps be the exact opposite of what is described as a Greek work. Does Euripides' Medea contain the necessary dramatic components that Aristotle outlines in the Poetics? In Aristotle's Poetics, he states that the most important part of any tragedy is the plot. Almost every example of Greek opera from this period begins with a setting scene. In it one of the main characters provides an outline of the current situation and foreshadows further events of the play. So does Medea, with the nurse saying: “She has turned her back on the children and does not like to see them. I fear that he may be thinking of something terrible, because his heart is violent. He will never stand the treatment he is receiving. I know her and fear her lest she sharpen the sword and strike the heart, stealthily into the palace where the bed is made, or even kill the king and the newly wedded groom, and thus bring upon herself an even greater misfortune. (Euripides 696) This is a great example of plot setting, creating a path between the current situation and a future possibility. So in this sense Medea perfectly follows the guidelines of poetics. The next component in a tragedy is character. Character development is very important when acting or writing a play. It gives the audience an emotional connection with the main characters of the play. Today this component is used in modern television programs to establish a constant audience. In Medea the only developed character is Mede… middle of paper… she killed her children.” His attendants rushed to the door. Medea appears above the house in a chariot pulled by dragons. He has the corpses of the children with him. (Euripides 722) Where did he get a chariot drawn by dragons? The play doesn't suggest that Medea is divine at all, so the chariot is a traditional deus ex machina, which leaves a huge plot hole. Does Euripides' Medea have the necessary parts outlined in the Poetics? Like everything, comedy isn't perfect. It has several flaws that prevent it from having the necessary dramatic components. Even though these parts are missing, it doesn't take anything away from the great piece of literature that it is. Euripides' Medea is still a work worthy of being called a Greek tragedy. Works Cited Lawall, Sarah N., and Maynard Mack. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Second ed. vol. A. New York: Norton, 2001. Print.