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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 purpose of the first section of the play?

2. What has Jason agreed to do while Medea and her children are in exile?

3. According to the chorus, what does excessive love bring?

4. What does Medea think about the way women are treated by men in Greece?

5. To whom does the Nurse say Medea cries for comfort?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Creon's compassion set up a contrast against the behavior of the protagonist?

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

4. What is significant about the way Creon encountered the poison?

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

6. What makes Medea's anger and despair seem so untoward to the Chorus?

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

8. Is Medea reacting truthfully during the entire fight, or is she setting Jason up for her ultimate revenge?

9. What are the primary differences between Jason and Medea during their argument?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aegeus introduces the concept of an oracle to the play. Examine the role of the oracle and the important role this concept plays within the context of the play.

Essay Topic 2

"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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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