Describe the theme of manipulation in Medea. Medea is a clever and cunning character; what does manipulation say about the society of women?

This is a great motif to consider in this play.  Medea
manipulates everyone around her in order to get what she wants from life.  That Medea
has to use manipulation is an interesting point through.  Does this mean that she
doesn't have any power of her own without the use of manipulation? 
Does this suggest that women, in general, use their powers of manipulation to get what
they want becuase they won't be treated as equals with men?  You will have to decide
that for yourself after reveiwing the play, but you could consider the following
examples of manipulation:

1.  Medea's first scene expresses
her hurt and grief over her lost marriage to Jason.  She is angered that everything she
did for Jason has been tossed aside.  The chorus first enters to basically tell her that
"men will be men" and that she just has to accept what has happened.  But by the end of
the next scene when she explicitely states how women are treated as lessor citizens of a
relationship she has completely manipulated the chorus (of women in this play) to be on
her side and cheer her on as she states that she is going to make Jason pay for what he
has done to her and her family.

2.  She manipulates Creon
into having just one more day to "get her affairs together" before leaving Corinth.  He
even tells her directly that he doesn't trust her and that he regards her as a danger to
his daughter (Jason's new wife), but she still sways him with a bit guilt and appeal to
family.

3. She manipuluates Aegeus into feeling sorry for
when she tells the story of Jason to him.  She also uses her abilities with magic to
manipulate his cooperation in providing a safe harbor for her in exchange for her help
with his and his wife's fertility issues.

4.  Jason arrives
to try to justify his choice to marry the princess as a means to secure his family's
position in Corinth, and at first, Medea will have nothing to do with his "logic." But
later, she talks to him again and claims to completely agree with him.  She is
manipulating him in order to allow their children to bring a present to the princess,
their new step-mother.  Medea fully plans to have that present, a beautiful gown,
actually be a poisoned garment that will destroy the
princess. 

5. She even manipulates or justifies to herself
the killing of her own children.  She is certainly doing it because it will be the most
horrific punishment she can inflict on Jason, but she also tells herself that she would
rather kill them herself rather than have them killed by her enemies who will certainly
come after her now that she has killed the princess and the king of
Corinth.

Medea is clearly a master of manipulation and
ultimately accomplishes all of her goals -- no matter how horrific the
results.