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Act One
Creusa, the daughter of the king of Corinth, is full of foreboding about her future with the powerful warrior Giasone. He has promised to marry her in spite of the fact that she is engaged to Egeo, the king of Athens, and Giasone himself was married to Medea, with whom he has two children.
In addition to this, Corinth is under siege by the Colchians as Giasone, with the help of Medea, has murdered Pelias. Acasto, the son of Pelias, has therefore demanded that the king of Corinth, Creonte, should not grant Medea and Giasone refuge but drive them out of Corinth. But a peaceful settlement is agreed – at a cost: Giasone will have to leave Medea and she will have to leave Corinth. So Creonte gives orders that Medea should be banned and that the preparations should be made for the celebrations to mark the occasion of his daughter’s marriage to Giasone.
For her part, Medea demands that the gods should give her justice for Giasone’s breach of faith. He, however, defends his actions by maintaining that this was the only way in which he could protect Medea and the children from Acasto’s revenge. He shows no understanding for Medea, after all, he maintains, she had herself committed enough crimes and should therefore create a new future for herself, putting great distance between her and her past.
The king of Athens, Egeo, has heard rumours that Creusa is to marry Giasone. When his fears are confirmed, Egeo decides to prevent the wedding with all the means at his disposal. Medea and Egeo interrupt the wedding celebrations using force and want to challenge Giasone and Creonte for breaking their promises. The situation escalates when Egeo tries to abduct Creusa.
