View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Medea think about Jason's argument for his actions?
(a) He is doing what he needs to save his honor.
(b) He could have had a mistress without getting a divorce.
(c) He has a point about getting more money.
(d) He is just making excuses for his bad behavior.

2. What characters interrupt the Nurse's monologue?
(a) The Tutor and children.
(b) Jason and his lover.
(c) Creon and his daughter.
(d) Aegeus and Creon.

3. What will happen if Medea and her children are in Corinth at sunrise in two days?
(a) They will be forcibly banished.
(b) Jason will have to claim them as his family.
(c) They will be allowed to stay for the festival.
(d) They will be killed.

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

5. In the time the play was written, what would the audience have typically known before coming to the theater?
(a) When to applaud.
(b) The names of the actors involved.
(c) The story of the play.
(d) The end of the story.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the chorus do when they learn of Medea's plans for revenge?

2. Why is Medea being banished?

3. Why does the Nurse send the children inside after hearing the Tutor's news?

4. What character has the strongest position in Part 3?

5. What was Jason's mission when he and Medea met?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Medea reacting truthfully during the entire fight, or is she setting Jason up for her ultimate revenge?

2. Why does Jason think his life is over?

3. What does the author mean with the quote "no other soul can hold so many thoughts of blood"?

4. What is significant about the Tutor's statement "that everyone loves himself more than his neighbor"?

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

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

7. Why do you think Euripides chooses to portray Jason as completely cavalier to the effect of his behavior on Medea?

8. Why is it significant that Medea is overcome with tears when she puts the children's hands into Jason's?

9. It could be said that Medea represents a type of "Everywoman" as she comes to terms with her feelings over her husband's betrayal - do you agree or disagree with this assertion? Explain why.

10. Analyze Medea's monologue in which she vacillates between killing her children and sparing their lives.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,042 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample