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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of Jason's ship?

2. Why does Jason claim Medea should think his plan is good?

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

4. What does the Nurse feel is best for people?

5. Who did the Tutor overhear making plans?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the King of Corinth model the theme of selfishness that Euripides introduces in the first scene?

2. Does Jason's sudden concern for his children in the final scene seem consistent with the rest of the play? Why or why not?

3. Why would people want to harm the children for Medea's crimes?

4. What do you think the messenger means when he says the princess "smiled at the lifeless image of herself" in the mirror?

5. Is there any indication that, as Medea claims, the gods know the crimes Jason has committed against her?

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

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

8. 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?

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

10. Does the Nurse find Medea sympathetic? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Medea invokes the goddess Hecate as she formulates her plan for revenge. Examine why Euripides chooses to link this goddess with his protagonist, being sure to cover the following points; What is Hecate known for; why would Medea turn to this particular goddess; are there similarities between Medea and Hecate; does invoking this goddess alter how the audience views Medea?

Essay Topic 2

How does the author use the structure of the play to his benefit by using the audience's imagination when dealing with horrific acts? Argue for or against this structure as effective, drawing on details from the text and the research you have done over the course of the play's analysis into classical Greek plays.

Essay Topic 3

Shed light on how the "deus ex machina" mechanic is used by the author to change the audience's perception of Medea and her behavior. Does this seem natural within the play or contrived? Is it effective as a method for changing the audience's perception of the character?

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