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| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Why does the Nurse send the children inside after hearing the Tutor's news?
2. Which character caused Medea's rage?
3. Why would Medea like the gods to place a mark on men?
4. What reaction does the Nurse have to Medea's pain?
5. What is the purpose of the first section of the play?
Short Essay Questions
1. Do you think, with the chorus being so sympathetic to Medea, that it undercuts her claims that her life is more difficult because she is a foreigner? Why or why not?
2. Does Medea's behavior support or work against the author's point about women being strong and independent?
3. Why is Medea's position as an outsider in Corinth so important to her and the chorus?
4. Why do you think Euripides introduces the Delphi oracle into the story?
5. Why is it significant that Medea is overcome with tears when she puts the children's hands into Jason's?
6. What literary function does the Nurse serve by opening the play?
7. Why does Medea refuse to give Jason the bodies of their children?
8. What makes Medea's anger and despair seem so untoward to the Chorus?
9. How does the King of Corinth model the theme of selfishness that Euripides introduces in the first scene?
10. Does Jason's sudden concern for his children in the final scene seem consistent with the rest of the play? Why or why not?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
The chorus plays an integral role within "Medea" and many classic Greek plays. Discuss this role, considering the following: What was the primary function of the chorus; how were the lines of the chorus delivered, and why was that delivery used; what is the interaction between the audience and the chorus?
Essay Topic 2
Medea is an unusual character for her time, particularly given that she seems to control the atmosphere around her and is certainly in control of the action of the scenes she is in. Examine the power dynamics between Medea and the other characters in the play. Use specific details of Medea's relationship and power struggle with at least three other characters.
Essay Topic 3
"Medea" is a very difficult play to read and produce because the subject material is so horrific to audiences. Examine what it is about filicide that makes it so much worse than other types of violence within a family unit. Does this help or hinder the development of themes within the play?
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This section contains 1,014 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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