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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 does Medea plan to take revenge against?

2. What does the chorus, after hearing Medea's plans, say about relations between men and women?

3. What country is the myth of Medea from?

4. How does Medea plan to exact her revenge?

5. How does Medea think women generally feel?

Short Essay Questions

1. To which character(s) is Aegeus a foil? Explain.

2. Why does the chorus have pity for the princess? Is it justified by the text?

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

4. Do you think Aegeus will keep his oath to Medea if she kills everyone she plans to kill, and then seeks refuge in his land?

5. Why would Medea believe that Jason was embarrassed by her?

6. Why does Medea doubt her ability to trust Aegeus?

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

8. What literary function does the Nurse serve by opening the play?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the structure and role of the classical Greek play, being sure to address the following: Is there a particular format a tragedy was to follow; what did audiences expect to receive when going to see a play in ancient Greece; were the plays used primarily for storytelling, or was there also another purpose?

Essay Topic 2

Explain how "deus ex machina" is used in classical Greek plays. What is the purpose of the mechanic? How common is it? Why would an author choose to use this mechanic?

Essay Topic 3

Creon has a small amount of time on-stage, and yet his presence is important throughout the play. Discuss the importance of Creon as a character and thematic support within the play.

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