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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Aegeus know when he swears the oath to Medea?
(a) Everything about her plans to kill Jason and his bride.
(b) Only that she is being exiled, not her plans for revenge.
(c) That Medea is angry and might harm herself.
(d) A little bit about her plans but not enough to incriminate himself.

2. How fast do the deaths happen?
(a) They were slow and painful.
(b) Creon and the princess aren't dead yet.
(c) Pretty quickly.
(d) In a matter of a few minutes.

3. How does Medea convince Jason to give her gifts to his new wife?
(a) She says it will help convince the princess to let the children stay.
(b) She claims she can't let go of Jason until she passes the items along.
(c) She says the gifts are a symbol of her goodwill and refusing would insult her.
(d) She says it's the only way to keep her from attending the wedding.

4. How well do Medea's enchantments appear to work in the play?
(a) Very well, the targets both die.
(b) Pretty well, everyone gets very ill.
(c) The princess died but not her father.
(d) Not at all, her reputation was overstated.

5. How is Creon poisoned?
(a) By embracing his daughter.
(b) By putting on the crown.
(c) A glass of poisoned wine.
(d) Poison in his food.

6. How did the princess first feel when Jason asked her to spare his children?
(a) Concerned.
(b) Jealous.
(c) Compassionate.
(d) Angry.

7. From whom were Medea's wedding gifts supposedly procured?
(a) An Asian queen.
(b) They are family heirlooms.
(c) Aphrodite.
(d) The sun god.

8. Who decides on the oath Aegeus swears?
(a) Medea.
(b) Creon.
(c) The oracle.
(d) Aegeus.

9. What wins the princess over to being willing to help Jason's children?
(a) Her love for Jason.
(b) Jason's compelling argument.
(c) Creon's advice.
(d) Her gifts from Medea.

10. When does Medea promise she will leave Corinth for good?
(a) As soon as she can pack a bag.
(b) Before sunrise.
(c) After Jason's wedding.
(d) Once her children are cared for.

11. What justification does Medea give for being upset when her children return from seeing their father?
(a) She misses having her whole family together.
(b) She can see their father in their faces.
(c) She is so happy that she weeps.
(d) She is grieving that she will soon leave them behind.

12. What does the princess do after trying out her new gifts?
(a) Hugs her father in joy.
(b) Tells her courtiers to leave.
(c) Looks in the mirror at her "lifeless image".
(d) Tries to get Jason to leave with her.

13. Why is Medea really crying when she sees her children with Jason?
(a) Probably because she knows she will kill them all soon.
(b) Probably because she is so angry but can't show it.
(c) Probably because she imagines Jason's future family life and is grieving the loss of her own.
(d) Probably because she will miss them when she leaves them in Corinth.

14. What character does the chorus have the most pity for?
(a) Jason.
(b) Medea.
(c) Creon.
(d) The princess.

15. Why did Aegeus visit the oracle?
(a) To get advice about a potential war.
(b) To learn how long he would live.
(c) To find out how his wife might have children.
(d) To decide what to name his first child.

Short Answer Questions

1. What might motivate the kings to come after Medea even if she's under Aegeus' protection?

2. What title does Aegeus hold?

3. Who returns with the children after they go with Jason to plead their case?

4. What does Jason tell his children when he sees them?

5. Is Medea always firmly resolved that she should kill her children?

(see the answer keys)

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