How does Medea put it? 'I know the evil I'm about to do, but my anger is stronger than my better judgment.' She thought that giving in to her rage and getting revenge on her husband was better than sparing her children. That's how it seemed to her — but she was wrong. Show her clearly that she's wrong, and she won't do it. But as long as you don't show her, what else can she follow except what seems right to her? Nothing else. So why are you angry with this miserable woman for being confused about the most important things? Why has she become like a snake instead of a human being? Why not pity her instead, if you can? We pity people who are blind or lame. Shouldn't we also pity those who are blind and crippled in their most important abilities?
How says Medea? "'Tis true I know what evil I shall do, But passion overpowers the better counsel." She thought that to indulge her passion and take vengeance on her husband was more profitable than to spare her children. It was so; but she was deceived. Show her plainly that she is deceived, and she will not do it; but so long as you do not show it, what can she follow except that which appears to herself (her opinion)? Nothing else. Why then are you angry with the unhappy woman that she has been bewildered about the most important things, and is become a viper instead of a human creature? And why not, if it is possible, rather pity, as we pity the blind and the lame, so those who are blinded and maimed in the faculties which are supreme?