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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why doesn't Creon trust Medea's reasons for allowing her to stay?
(a) They don't sound real to him.
(b) She sounds too angry to be able to live there peacefully.
(c) He thinks she is clever enough to be manipulative.
(d) He has heard stories about her and thinks she is a liar.

2. What country is the myth of Medea from?
(a) Turkey.
(b) Carthage.
(c) Sparta.
(d) Greece.

3. Why does Jason say dealing with Medea is hopeless?
(a) He loves her too much to hurt her.
(b) She is too stubborn and outspoken.
(c) She won't ever tell him what she really thinks.
(d) He can't understand her through her thick accent.

4. What has Jason said is his intent with regard to his children?
(a) He doesn't intend to help support them.
(b) He wants them to be shipped back to Medea's homeland.
(c) He intends to move them in with him and his new wife.
(d) He wants to send them away for military training.

5. According to the chorus, what does excessive love bring?
(a) Either great happiness or great despair.
(b) Dangerous passion and foolishness.
(c) Destruction of reason.
(d) Pain for everyone involved.

6. What does Jason claim motivated him to leave Medea for the princess?
(a) A desire to better support his family.
(b) He wants a prettier wife.
(c) He needs money to pay his debts.
(d) It's the only way for him to advance socially.

7. Why does the Nurse send the children inside after hearing the Tutor's news?
(a) It is time for their baths before supper.
(b) She is afraid Medea may take her anger out on them.
(c) She wants some time alone with the Tutor.
(d) She doesn't want them hearing more gossip about their parents.

8. What is the purpose of the first section of the play?
(a) To make the audience laugh before the tragedy begins.
(b) To apologize for any parts the audience may not like.
(c) To introduce every character in the play.
(d) To offer background information.

9. What does Medea think about the way women are treated by men in Greece?
(a) They are treated very badly in general.
(b) They are treated well enough.
(c) They are treated worse than slaves.
(d) They are treated with the same tolerance as children.

10. What does the chorus tell Medea about men?
(a) They are never satisfied with just one woman.
(b) They tend to stray but always come back.
(c) They betray women all the time.
(d) They are dangerous to love.

11. Why is Medea glad to see Jason at first?
(a) So she can finally vent her anger in person.
(b) She wants the opportunity to kill him face-to-face.
(c) Because she needs his advice on where to go.
(d) She thinks she can convince him to come back to her.

12. Why does the Nurse think Medea will refuse to exit her home?
(a) She doesn't really like the women of the chorus.
(b) She doesn't want anyone to see her tear-stained face.
(c) She is afraid to go outside.
(d) She is too angry.

13. Who explains why Medea is crying to the chorus?
(a) The Nurse.
(b) The Tutor.
(c) The boys.
(d) Medea.

14. How does Medea think women generally feel?
(a) Fearful and defenseless.
(b) Comforted and happy.
(c) Fearful and vengeful.
(d) Happy and maternal.

15. Why does Medea have no choice but to trust Jason?
(a) She needs to provide for her children.
(b) He is the only person that speaks her language.
(c) He can get her out of the country alive.
(d) A spell was placed on him that makes him tell the truth.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Medea think about Jason's argument for his actions?

2. What attitude does Jason have towards Medea when he appears?

3. Who is the first character to appear in the play?

4. What theme, central to the play, does the chorus frequently reiterate?

5. What does the Nurse fear at the beginning of the play?

(see the answer keys)

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