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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. Who did the Tutor overhear making plans?

2. What is the Nurse's reaction when she learns what Jason thinks about the plan involving Medea?

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

4. What is the purpose of the first section of the play?

5. What will happen if Medea and her children are in Corinth at sunrise in two days?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens that enables Medea to put her plans into action?

3. Why does Jason think his life is over?

4. Why is a messenger used to describe how Creon and the princess die?

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

6. Do you agree or disagree with Creon's decision to banish Medea? Why or why not?

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

8. Describe how the princess and Creon die.

9. What similarities are evident in the characters of Jason and Medea?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It appears as though, sympathetic or not, Medea is representing a type of "Everywoman" character. Argue for whether you believe Medea does or does not effectively represent an "Everywoman", using specific supporting details from the text to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Medea has been a reviled character as long as the myth has been known, and yet Euripides clearly attempts to make the character sympathetic. Discuss the various methods the author uses to elicit audience sympathy for Medea, using specific details and examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Selfishness is a recurring theme in the play, and Jason appears as the standard-bearer of selfishness. Examine Jason's role in the context of the theme of selfishness, covering thoroughly the following: Is Jason a purely selfish character, or are there contextual reasons for his behavior; does his selfishness make a point about the society of the day and its impact on a certain class within it; how does Jason's self-serving behavior illuminate and further the points Euripides makes about selfishness?

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This section contains 975 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample