We are performing Medea in few weeks time so in order to understand the characters and storyline more, I have decided to some Contextual Research into the lives of Women in Ancient Greece.
The treatment of Women in Ancient Greek times was horrendous. In fact, they weren't even counted as official 'citizens'. In terms of Theatre, they weren't allowed to go to watch shows and were definitely not allowed to perform.
Women had very limited freedom outside of their homes. They couldn't even attend weddings, funerals, religious festivals or visit other female neighbours without their husband's permission. They couldn't even go to a Temple to honor their Gods. However, in their homes, Greek Women were essentially in charge of everything. They had to 'run the house'- this included making clothes, cleaning and bearing children. However, most Greek Women did not actually do cooking and cleaning themselves as they had slaves.
Women were also not allowed to watch the Olympic Games because the participants in the games did not wear any clothes.
Chariot racing was the only game Women could win, and this was only possible if they owned the
horse. If that horse won, they received the prize.
When it came to marriage, girls would get married in their teens- their husbands would often be in their 30's. If the girl was from a wealthy family, the chances are that her marriage would've been arranged from a very young age; if not birth. It was essential that the girls were virgins when they got married. Once the girls were married, their husbands would control everything about that she did- essentially taking over the role of her father. In fact the 'passing' of control from Father to Husband was called 'Gamos'.
It was incredibly hard for Women to divorce their husbands- it was mostly the husband who filed for divorce. The term 'divorce' means the same as it did back then but in Ancient Greece it normally just meant the Husband would ridicule his Wife in public or simply send her back to her original Family Home.
When it came to marriage, girls would get married in their teens- their husbands would often be in their 30's. If the girl was from a wealthy family, the chances are that her marriage would've been arranged from a very young age; if not birth. It was essential that the girls were virgins when they got married. Once the girls were married, their husbands would control everything about that she did- essentially taking over the role of her father. In fact the 'passing' of control from Father to Husband was called 'Gamos'.
It was incredibly hard for Women to divorce their husbands- it was mostly the husband who filed for divorce. The term 'divorce' means the same as it did back then but in Ancient Greece it normally just meant the Husband would ridicule his Wife in public or simply send her back to her original Family Home.
References:
http://greece.mrdonn.org/women.html
http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/ancientchix/
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