Running head: BINARY OPPOSITION
BINARY COMPARISON 2
Binary Opposition
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Binary Opposition
In a work of literature, binary opposition is basically the opposing opinions, views, ideas and themes presented in the text. The use of binary opposition is a common concept in the analysis of literary works. Its best use comes when two characters or themes are contrasted against each other, however, sometimes the opposition does not mean that the ideas under analysis must share similar notion, but only needs to be corresponding. According to Marvin, the idea captured in the context gives meaning to the oppositions. In modern literary works, authors can employ the use of binary opposition to bring a two-sided effect to the texts and eventually taking their sides or leaving the judgment open to the audience. The primary element of binary opposition is that what side must portray the opposite of the other, essential, positivity and negativity of the same thing. In the works Medea and Bacchae, binary opposition features prominently and can be thematically analyzed.
The different potentials of man and god in Bacchae is an example of binary opposition, while gods are all powerful, man is weak. The gods command the highest level of respect from a man; they would punish men to ruthless extents if a man does not worship and respect them. For instance, Zeus, the greatest Gods strikes down Semele as a punishment for disrespect, Dionysius also exercise his power when Pentheus showed disrespect by prosecuting those who worship him. Dionysius uses extreme powers over helpless men when locked up in Pentheus palace. Man hover lesser powers and is not capable of performing strange acts, they can only receive such potentials from gods, even then, the same god can use these powers to brings men to their knees. In the case of Maenads, he uses power from Dionysius to perform miracles and is later enchanted by the same god to the mountains. In Medea, gods are similarly powerful but without the ruthlessness, Medea asks Zeus to end her misery showing gods as entities who are all powerful and exist to help men overcome their problems. Nevertheless, both works portray man as subjects and god the master. The role of human characters, as contrasted to that of gods is an element of binary opposition.
The different forms in which gods exists and their interactions with man is equally and part of the binary opposition. While Zeus exists in form invisible to man, though he is the most powerful, Dionysius assumes a physical form like a man and interact with man freely, unlike Zeus, his father. Themis, the daughter of Zeus lives a life that is contrary to that of man, she lives in areas are accessible and remote to man, man, on the other hand, prefers areas with easy accessibility. The contrast as depicted in Medea and Bacchae are examples of binary opposition in the texts.
Male and female characters appear to play opposing roles in the literature, their positions in the society are the exact opposite. While men dominate, women are subjects and controlled by the men. The texts are set up in a Greek society that actively oppresses women and exalt the men. However, Euripides uses the character of Dionysius to attack this notion and places women in an upper position, which in not the case in a contemporary Greek society. Pentheus resist the idea of Dionysius; he does not subscribe to the way Dionysius treats women; he does not like such privileges and presents sentiments that the later shares “womanish” ideologies to be a proper man (Esposito, 230). The two sides, from the Parenthesis and Dionysius perspectives, are direct contrasts and this a binary opposition. Although the ideas contrast, they serve a similar purpose of bringing to light women oppression in Bacchae’s Greek society. On the other side, Medea position women and men in a similar approach. Euripides prolongs the notion of women abuse in Greek communities; their subordination takes a center stage. In page 38, Medea’s speech comes with a chorus that details all the injustices and suffering that women undergo. The tale is all about a woman who is struggling with the unfairness that comes with being a woman. Jason, for instance, have the audacity to marry Creon’s daughter even without her proper approval. Medea brings out this level of injustice when she says that mortal men show no justice to other people, they can treat women with cruelty even when they present no harm (Esposito, 57). Besides ignoring the approval, Jason banishes her from Greek with her two children. Medea’s motives to revenge are founded on a series cruel treatment committed by Jason after marrying Creon’s daughter. Creon adds to the plight of women by not granting Medea a fair hearing; he threatens to use force against her if she does not heed the judgment. Euripides uses the binaries of Dionysius and Jason teaming up with Creon to explore the plight of women in Greek society.
Euripides uses the binary opposition to show the difference between wisdom and ignorant in Dionysius and Pentheus. By his rule, Pentheus is a character that shows ignorance; he rules the kingdom without knowledge by denying the divinity of Dionysius, treating women with cruelty and inculcating a culture of illiteracy through his kingdom. Dionysius shows both wisdom in the way he treats the female gender. However, he also shows elements of ignorance in his revenge against Pentheus by bringing down his palace and even punishing his Agave. The old men in the context demonstrate wisdom when they advise Pentheus to be careful on how he treats the divinity of Dionysius. In Medea, she represents the wisdom that women possess; she claims that men are attracted to women without wisdom and such it is better to be naturally a fool than to be wise, she suffers from the fact that the society does not offer a platform for women to exercise knowledge. She refuses to succumb to the pain and frustration directed to her by Jason and plots revenge against her masters. Jason and Creon are characters showing a complete lack of wisdom. Jason willingly treats Medea with hate and causes her suffering; he leaves his family for the King’s daughter. The king, on the other hand, demonstrates a lack of wisdom when he takes Jason away from his family and gives him to his daughter. He stretches the suffering of Medea by his unfair judgment (Esposito, 78). The two opposing themes of wisdom and ignorance are binary opposition exploring the plight of women in Greece.
The concept of foreigners and natives is also an element of binary opposition. The Greeks like things of their own and not accept anything that does not originate within their circles. For instance, Dionysius faces opposition from Pentheus and some of the Greeks when he tried to claim divinity and bringing new ideologies to the lands. He attacks with women and proposes a new way to treat women that native Greeks did not like. Medea also depicts the relationships that the Greek have between them and the foreigners. Medea is a stranger to Greek, and thus she is not loved, the Greeks hates barbarians and Medea having such an originality if forced to go back to her origins. She chose to stay and present a character that is contrary to what is expected of the barbarians. The use of binary opposition allows the writers to give his ideas by using contrasts. His main points come two light exploring both sides of the themes. Euripides employs binaries in a way that entertain the reader and adds clarity to the plot. By using binaries, he can explore the culture of ancient Greek from his opinions.
ea having such an originality if forced to go back to her origins. She chose to stay and present a character that is contrary to what is expected of the barbarians. The use of binary opposition allows the writers to give his ideas by using contrasts. His main points come two light exploring both sides of the themes. Euripides employs binaries in a way that entertain the reader and adds clarity to the plot. By using binaries, he can explore the culture of ancient Greek from his opinions.
ea having such an originality if forced to go back to her origins. She chose to stay and present a character that is contrary to what is expected of the barbarians. The use of binary opposition allows the writers to give his ideas by using contrasts. His main points come two light exploring both sides of the themes. Euripides employs binaries in a way that entertain the reader and adds clarity to the plot. By using binaries, he can explore the culture of ancient Greek from his opinions.
ea having such an originality if forced to go back to her origins. She chose to stay and present a character that is contrary to what is expected of the barbarians. The use of binary opposition allows the writers to give his ideas by using contrasts. His main points come two light exploring both sides of the themes. Euripides employs binaries in a way that entertain the reader and adds clarity to the plot. By using binaries, he can explore the culture of ancient Greek from his opinions.
References
Esposito, S. (2004). Euripides Four Plays: Medea, Hippolytus, Heracles, Bacchae. Newburyport: Focus Publishing.
Marvin, C. (2010). Understanding Binary Oppositions in Literature.” Class Handout: English 101. Cerro Coso Community College.
