Socio-cultural Representation of Women in Proverbs Case of Medea

Abstract

The present research sheds light on women’s image in the Medean proverbs. The overriding objective is to understand the portrayal of women in proverbs within a cultural and linguistic nexus. In order to answer the research questions, the researchers collected 62 proverbs and interviewed 16 participants. All of the collected data was analyzed sociolinguistically and contextually. The results showed that the context is an important factor that determines the negative or the positive image of women in proverbs. Yet, the social status of mothers, daughters, and sisters is highly respected whereas the relationships between daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law are depicted negatively. It was also revealed that Medeans value beauty, productivity, and marriage in their proverbs. Regarding the trust and ploy of women, they are depicted negatively in women-oriented proverb