Medea is a Mother from Hell, who kills Her Own Sons. Unlike Medea, Deborah and Judith are Mothers of their People who Save Their Lives from the Enemies

Women occupy an important place in the history of the mankind. During certain periods the power in the society belonged to women. During other periods women were suppressed by men.  The role and function of women was sacred in many societies. Different images of women in different works of written art give us an idea about the attitude to women in the contemporary societies. Medea is a mother from hell, who kills her own sons. Unlike Medea, Deborah and Judith are mothers of their people who save their lives  from the enemies.

All three characters, Medea, Deborah and Judith present different female aspects and realize their female functions in different ways. Medea is presented like the incarnation of dark female side. Blinded by jealousy, she kills her own children and breaks her sacred duties bringing death and destruction into the world.

Deborah is a prophetess and a “judge” is depicted as a mediator who passes the will of God to people in the difficult moments of their lives. Her story is depicted in the Book of Judges from the Old Testament. She is depicted as a godly counselor. The authors call her “the mother in Israel” because of her great compassion and love to all people. Deborah helps her people to make right choices. She cares about all people in general and about every individual in particular. She is aware of hardships and problems of her people and she does all possible to help them. Deborah saw the needs of Israel and followed God’s advice to provide good future for her country. The story of Deborah is a story of one woman who changes the history of her country.

Judith is another example of woman who helps her people. She is dedicated to her people and her country and shows a wonderful example of bravery and self-sacrifice. Judith is upset with her Jewish countryman because they do not have enough courage to free themselves from foreign conquerors.

Judith makes a decision to help her people alone. She dares to make a thing which even men do not dare to do. She goes to the camp of her enemies and gains trust from the general Holofernes. As soon as she is let access his tent, she kills the general. The Assyrians lose confidence as soon as their leader is killed and Jewish people get the opportunity to free themselves from the enemy. The story of Judith shows how one woman can truly influence the history of her country as long as this woman is truly dedicated to it.

The theme of religion and obedience to God (or gods) is presented in all three stories. Medea asks gods for help but she does not want to know their will. She wants them to help her revenge her unload husband. She is not concerned with the will of gods in reality. She is worried only about revenge and she does not know other justice but her own one. Medea is not interested in the will of gods. She is worried only about her own problems and everything she wants is revenge. Medea forgets about her sacred duty to give new life and grow her children and kills them. She does not want to listen to anyone.

Female aspects which are usually associated with fertility and growth become the image of destruction when we talk about Medea. She lets her own feelings rule her life and neglects her sacred duties as mother and wife.

Deborah has other type of relations with God and religion. She is obedient to God and follows His will. Deborah does not only care about her country, but also flows the will of God. She fulfills his will and this helps her country to become strong and powerful. Deborath presents the image of a wise woman who can bring peace and prosperity to her people. She follows the needs of her people and she shows them the path to true religion. Deborath transmits the will of God and she finds her personal happiness in the happiness of other people. In contrast to Medea, Deborath does not think about her own ambitions. She presents the perfect example of the Prophetess who passes the will of God to people and thus helps them. She shows the image of Mother for her people. Like real mother she does everything possible for her children to grow and develop. The image of Deborath teaches us how people can truly serve to God. Deborath shows the mixture of a clever woman who is confident in herself and at the same time she is obedient to the will of God and totally follows the path of her religion. On the example of Deborath we can see the example of perfect governor who does not pursue his or her own goals, but rather serves as a messenger of the higher power and does only things which can bring use to people and do not contradict to the will of God.

In contrast to Deborath, who totally follows the will of God, Judith makes her own decision and follows the call of her heart when she goes to the camp of the enemies. Judith makes a brave decision and counts on herself. Her love and dedication to her country and her people is so strong that she takes risks and makes he own decision. There are different opinions on Judith’s courageous decision. Some see her behavior as a heroic self-sacrifice and other stress that despite good motifs it is still a murder. The actions of Judith may be justified because she has enough courage to take the responsibility for her people and to risk her life to save them. She is presented like Protector and Savior of her people.  It is evident that the liberation of Jewish people seems a miracle. Judith alone manages to fight and win the entire army of Assyrians. Such victory would not be possible without the help of God. Judith also flows the will of God but she does not listen to his orders directly. She rather follows the call of her heart and in this way she becomes an instrument in the hands of God.  Judith presents a strong female image. She is depicted as a mother of all Jewish people. She behaves like mother who saves her children in the most difficult times. Judith does not think about her own feelings or her own profit. All she wants is liberation and freedom for her countryman. She makes brave decisions and finds enough courage to fulfill them.  Judith presents an example of a patriot woman who becomes real savoir of her people. She presents a strong image of mother for all her people. Despite Judith is a widow she does not think about personal revenge or her own profit. She only wants to show her people that God wants them to be free and live happily. Personal tragedy did not break her faith and Judith becomes even stronger and more dedicated to God after these sad events. In contrast to Medea, who thinks only about her revenge and is haunted by angry and envy, Judith does not have a desire to revenge.

Medea, Deborath and Judith present three different strong female characters. All three women are strong and powerful but they use their power in different ways. Medea is presented like an image of evil mother who is guided only by negative feelings. Medea can not control her anger and hatred and this results in terrible tragedy. Medea kills her own children in order to revenge her husband Jason. Her negative feelings are so strong that she even forgets about the sacred function of the mother, who gives life to people. Medea turns to heartless murderer and on her example it becomes evident that negative feelings totally deprive her of human appearance. In contrast to Medea, Deborath and Judith present the characters of Saviors and Protectors.

These two Biblical heroines become real mothers for their people. They forget about their personal ambitions and think about the needs and troubles of other people. They follow the will of God and this faith helps them to bring real use to their people. Deborath and Judith present the image of a real Woman who helps people in the most difficult moments of their lives.