Tragic Women Series by Erin Krochmalny

Erin Krochmalny

4 days ago

2 min read

The first of 12 photographs from my Tragic Women series. With the series I want to honor the women found in Greek Tragedies.

This first photograph focuses on Deianeira from Sophocles’ “Women of Trachis.” She’s worried for her own safety, that her husband Heracles will kick her and her children out of the house after he brought in a new woman. Deianeira, in panic and hope, sends him a love potion to ensure their place in the household.

In this moment, Deianeira is waiting to hear news of how the love potion affected Heracles. She’s blissfully unaware of what is about to occur. This is photo 2 of the Tragic Women series.

Shock and horror dance across her face as Deianeira is told her love potion poisoned Heracles, causing his death. In the wake of blame and hate thrown at her, Deianeira dies by her own hand. Her story is a reflection of many women’s fates in Greek Tragedies. This is the 3rd photo from the Tragic Women series.

In tribute to my favorite of the Greek Tragedies, this is the first photo of Medea from Euripides’ “Medea” and the continuation of my Tragic Women series.

We see her while she’s wild with anger towards Jason for betraying her. He decided to value gaining power rather than upholding his promise to her. Jason marries another woman, who is the daughter of the King, even though he made a vow to Zeus to marry Medea.

Medea is the daughter of another king. She’s known for her cleverness and brutality. She’s a force to be reckoned with. Something that Jason fails to remember despite the fact that she slayed a dragon and betrayed her family for him and his quest.

If you’ve never seen or read this play, I definitely recommend watching the 1983 version with Zoe Caldwell.

Medea knows what she’s going to do. She thought, and thought, and thought and realized the only way she’ll be given justice for the wrong done to her was by handling it herself. She wanted Jason to hurt and be held accountable according to (Ancient) Greek’s customs, specifically Corinth’s ways.