Based on the Greek classic written by Euripides,
Medea tells the story of the revenge of a woman
betrayed by her husband.
Medea, the wife is willing to go as far
as killing her two sons
just to destroy her husband’s plan and to punish him.
Medea tells the story of the revenge of a woman
betrayed by her husband.
Medea, the wife is willing to go as far
as killing her two sons
just to destroy her husband’s plan and to punish him.
Medea in Colchis as the high priestess of Hecate
Act I –
1. Medea’s nurse serves as her chief servant, governess of children, and confidante; therefore, she knows Medea well.
a. How does she describe Medea’s reaction to Jason’s abandonment?
b. What does she say about Medea’s personality and temperament? Which of her statements shadows impending events?
2. When Medea addresses the chorus –
a. How does she gain their sympathy? In your answer consider that the chorus is made up of Corinthian women.
b. What does Medea ask of them?
3. Creon
a. When Creon goes to Medea to order her and her children out of Corinth, why does he particularly fear Medea?
b. Does Medea truly mean to be reconciled with Creon? Or does she have ulterior motives in mind?
c. Why does Creon finally agree to allow Medea to remain in Corinth for an additional twenty-four hours?
d. How does his submission to her plea make him a more human character?
4. After Creon leaves Medea discusses her plans. What do they reveal about her character?
5. Jason
a. When Jason offers Medea some provisions for her and her children, does he really have their welfare in mind? Explain.
b. What is Mede’s response to his offer?
c. How does Jason accept Medea’s reply?
6. Aegeus –
a. What is Aegeus suffering from? How can Medea help?
b. In her encounter with Aegeus, why is Medea especially sensitive to the oath she asks him to take?
c. In the bargain Aegeus agrees to, why is he so insistent that Medea escape from Corinth by her own means before he will grant her sanctuary in Athens?
Medea and Nurse
Medea and her Children
A Mother's Maddness
Act II
1. Medea dramatically changes her attitude toward Jason When she begs his forgiveness. Why do you think Jason believes her? Cite passages to support your opinion.
2. How does Euripides introduce suspense in the scene in which Medea sends her children off to the royal palace with their father?
3. The tutor –
a. When the tutor reports the success of the children at the royal palace, why does Medea exhibit such anguish?
b. What does her statement to the tutor foreshadow in the following exchange?
TUTOR: Take heart, Medea. Your sons will bring you back to your home some day.
MEDEA: And I’ll bring others back to their homes, long before that happens!
4. After the news from the tutor, Medea’s resolve to continue with her murderous plot is momentarily weakened. What powerful aspect in Medea’s character restrains (keeps) her from abandoning her plans? Cite passages to support your answer.
Jason & Medea Argue
Medea Escapes an Impossible Situation
Deus ex machina
"god out of the machine"
is a plot device whereby a seemingly inextricable problem is suddenly and abruptly solved with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability, or object.
Act 1; Question 1
ReplyDeletea. She is absent minded and easily angered.
b. She will never submit to this cruel treatment.
Act 1; Question 2
ReplyDeletea. They understand the pain she is going through.
b. She asks them to go in silence.
I (Mr. Carlton)would like more thoughtful answers. Also, incorporate your responses into the question to form longer statements. I would stay away ffrom short easily answered questions to those that show a greater depth of understanding. Kudos for following directions.
ReplyDeleteAct 1; Question 3
ReplyDeletea. When Creon goes to exile Medea and her children, he's especially fearful of Medea because, frankly, she's a frightening woman. She uses magic, is quite knowledgeable about poisons, and she's the granddaughter of a god (Helios). If that isn't enough to convince someone that she's a formidable enemy, she has also killed many people and betrayed her own country.
b. Medea doesn't care about being on good terms with Creon - she just wants him to believe that she does. The only reason that she is being civil with him is because she wants something from him, and that is time. She wants to spend a bit more time in Corinth so she can successfully kill all the people she wants to kill.
c. Creon agrees to let Medea stay another day because he pities her. He has sympathy for other humans after all. Although, poor Creon, even though it was good of him to do so, it all ended up epically horrible in the end.
d. When Creon allows her another 24 hours, it makes his character more human-like because it shows that he has a little sympathy. If he had just exiled Medea and her children right then and there, he would have seemed a bit like a robot with no feelings. Having no sympathy for others, or having no remorse for something you did to make another miserable seems alien.
Act 1; Question 4
ReplyDeleteWhen Medea talks about her plans after Creon leaves, it reveals just how cold and calculating she is. Sure, she's sad about killing her children, but she still does it. She also seems less sad about her children than the fact that Jason left her. She's probably not meant to be portrayed as insane, but Medea really... is pretty unstable. Of course, there is the aspect of the gods to put in perspective as well. Maybe Cupid's arrows have such a potency to them that they make you willing to do anything, even give your own life, for the person you love. If Medea wasn't like this before Cupid's arrow, maybe love is the equivalent of madness. Maybe love is insanity. :P Anyway, the point is, Medea really is a frightening person - and she'll do close to anything to get revenge. Pretty harsh revenge too, if I may say so.
Act 1; Question 2
ReplyDeletea)
When Medea addresses the chorus, she gains their sympathy by making them understand the pain that they have caused her. She explains her situation and shows that her husband has wronged her. As she does so, the chorus begin to side with her and back her up by saying that she is actually right and should pay back her husband. This seems to relate to one of the major themes throughout Medea which is the position of women and how they are treated based on gender.
Act II Question 1
ReplyDeleteI believe that she has a sudden change of mind towards Jason to through him off of her trail. with the sudden drastic change in feelings toward Jason and his actions, it would give him no reason to suspect that she was going to do anything to harm him or his new bride. I got this from the passage, "...I am a worthless woman and you're s man, we women- I shan't say entirely worthless, but we are what we are."
Act II question 4
ReplyDeleteI believe that Medea had a sudden feeling of guilt, and that is why she had a sudden, momentarily weak spot. A line from the story that i thought represented this goes, "Oh my old friend, I can't help weeping. It was I, it was I and the gods, who planned these things so badly." Her guilt for the thought of killing her children is what almost stops her and also the love that she once had for Jason. If she wasn't angered to as much of an extant as she had been, it is likely Medea wouldn't have followed through with her plans.
Please answer Act II #2-4
ReplyDelete