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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why would Medea like the gods to place a mark on men?
(a) To distinguish those that can be trusted from those that can't.
(b) To remind women none is trustworthy.
(c) To denote their status as lower than women.
(d) To prevent them from telling lies.

2. Why is Medea being banished?
(a) Creon is afraid of her and what she'll do.
(b) She has had an affair and that is the punishment.
(c) Jason's new wife doesn't like having her around.
(d) Creon doesn't like her because she's a foreigner.

3. Why does the author emphasize several times that Medea is a "stranger in a strange land"?
(a) It makes it easier to see why she doesn't have many friends.
(b) It reveals that Jason probably left her due to cultural differences.
(c) It shows that she might not understand that murder is illegal.
(d) It makes her character more sympathetic.

4. Why does Medea feel immigrant women need to work particularly hard?
(a) They are never fully welcome or at home.
(b) They are looked down on as second-class citizens.
(c) They don't have the same rights as citizens.
(d) They don't know the language and have to overcome the barrier.

5. Why does Medea claim she is refusing Jason's money?
(a) She can get money from her family instead.
(b) She can provide adequately for herself.
(c) Money gained from a bad man is no good.
(d) He doesn't have enough to give her.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whom does Jason intend to marry?

2. What does Jason claim motivated him to leave Medea for the princess?

3. Which character caused Medea's rage?

4. What is Jason's reaction to the plan involving Medea?

5. Who did the Tutor overhear making plans?

Short Essay Questions

1. The ode from the chorus after Medea's monologue seems a bit misplaced, as though they are not speaking about Medea at all. What do you think is the purpose of this choral piece?

2. What are the primary differences between Jason and Medea during their argument?

3. Based on their conversation, do you find Medea's anger more justified? Why or why not?

4. What is the purpose of the chorus ending the play by commenting on the mysterious ways of the gods?

5. Why does the King of Corinth think it is a good idea to send Medea into exile?

6. Is there any merit to Jason's justification of his behavior? Why or why not?

7. What function does the chorus of Corinthian women serve?

8. Does the descriptions of the poison's effect lend credence to the idea that it was magical in nature?

9. Why do you think Euripides introduces the Delphi oracle into the story?

10. Knowing her plans for her children, why do you think Medea asks Jason to beg Creon to allow them to stay?

(see the answer keys)

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