Euripides: "Medea". Reading questions.

  1. What do we learn of the background to the story from the Nurse's opening speech?
  2. What news does the tutor bring to the nurse?
  3. What do we learn about Medea's psychological state from the nurse and from Medea herself on her entrance?
  4. What's Medea's attitude toward her children? Provide an example.
  5. How does the Chorus try to console Medea?
  6. Why did Medea kill her brother? Consider how that act might result in Medea's current situation.
  7. How do Themis and Zeus figure in Medea's situation? Why does she address them? What does she want from them?
  8. Read crefully Medea's speech to the Chorus. The speech is actually addressed to the people of Athens, and in it she asks for sympathy for her situation. How successful do you think she is in gaining sympathy?
  9. In presenting her situation to the Chorus Medea is also presenting the situation of all women in Athens? Do any of you women share any sympathy for her situation? How much have things really changed for women since the 5th century B.C.?
  10. How is Medea's situation worse than it would be if she were a native of the city?
  11. Does the Chorus agree with her?
  12. Kreon says his reason for banishing Medea is that he is afraid of her? Why is he afraid? Is he justified? Tricky question: Why doesn't he simply order her killed? After all, he is the king.
  13. Medea says to Kreon that she has suffered much from being clever. What's wrong with being clever?
  14. What request does Medea have from Kreon? Why is this important for her?
  15. Kreon says that he is more afraid of a clever woman than one who is sharp-tempered (smart). Why would one be more afraid of a clever person? Are men generally afraid of clever women?
  16. Can you provide any justifications for the way Kreon deals with Medea?
  17. Kreon says that by showing mercy he has often been the loser. Is that the case with Medea as well? Why do you think he wants Medea's children banished as well?
  18. The Chorus suggests that Medea's suffering comes from god? What do you think is the reason god would make her suffer?
  19. We get a true sense of Medea's anger and the things she is capable of doing to punish her husband. In her speech she seems to defend all women that are in her situation, and any other woman would react in the same way. Is she right? Remember, the play is written by a man. How well do you think he understands the nature of a scorn woman?
  20. Is the Chorus at this point sympathetic to Medea? Provide some examples.
  21. What do you think of Jason's advice to Medea? Is he being fair or not?
  22. What has Medea done for Jason, she says, that he should be grateful to her?
  23. What other issues does she bring up in accusing Jason?
  24. Does the response of the Chorus remind you of a couple going through a messy divorce?
  25. Read Jason's reply to Medea beginning. He tells Medea that it wasn't she who saved him but Cyris/Aphrodite, the goddess of love. How so?
  26. Jason tells Medea that she should consider herself lucky to have married him and lives among Greeks. How so? Can you make a comparison with what Enkidu is told when he blames the harlot for his situation?
  27. Jason says that he is doing everything for the best interest of Medea and the children. How so? Provide some examples.
  28. Some of Jason's comments although directed at Medea he also directs them at all women. Provide some examples.
  29. What is the response of the Chorus at this point?
  30. The chorus is always a voice of moderation. The Chorus prays that some thigs do not happen to him/her. Provide some examples.
  31. How does Aegius end up meeting Medea?
  32. What requests does Medea have of Aegius?
  33. Why do you think she insists that he swear?
  34. What's Medea's plan for killing Jason's bride and her father?
  35. Why do you think she is not planning to kill Jason?
  36. Focus on how she tries to convince Jason that she has changed her mind.
  37. Notice how Medea has second thoughts about killing her children. What prevents her from killing them, and what convinces her that she should kill them?
  38. Read the speech of the Chorus carefully. Why those who have children are happier than those with children?
  39. Why do you think the messenger explains in great detail how the two died?
  40. Medea says that her children must die anyway, it might as well be by her hand. Why do tyou think they must? The text doesn't tell us.
  41. Refering to her children, Medea says to Jason "They died from a disease that they caught from their father". I have no clue what this means. Do you have a suggestion?
  42. What final comfort does Medea refuse to allow Jason to have?
  43. Does this play inspire "pity" as Aristotle says tragedy should do? For whom and why?