Investigating the Socio-Psychological Effects of Stigma on Ajax and Medea Characters

The term "Stigma" derived from a Greek root and is used today to refer a feature, or attribute that is severely calumniously or disgraceful. In this study, according to the main origin of the stigma, Ajax and Medea tragedies of ancient Greece, have been selected to initially highlight the role of Stigma in the reading of these tragedies. At the same time, from psychological-sociological perspective, the main question is to what effect the stigma has been on the Ajax and the Medea Characters. Erving Goffman as one of the contemporary theorists of sociology studies has brought up many valuable viewpoints, which, some of them are notable in the performance studies and stigma research. With Utilization of Goffman’s “Dramaturgical Theory” and view on other important theories of Goffman such as “Role Distance” and “Stigma”, paper tries to give a comprehensive analysis of Ajax and Medea tragedies and to answer the research questions. The Goffman oriented interpretation of drama beside analysis of the Ajax and Medea personalities alerts a calumnious stigma, which have influenced by the actions of these two characters in their plays. This matter allowed to analyze and investigate on mental disintegration and their main actions under the shadow of the Stigma and Role distance created on their identities and society.