Plot
How does Exile drive the plot forward in Medea?
* Initiated Jason and Medea to leave Colchis
* Medea is put under pressure to leave Corinth which causes her actions to become more bold
(If you answer both questions - you get double points)
1) What literary technique is this?
2) What is the context (i.e. Who says this? Why?)
3) What is the purpose of it?
"...taking to myself not a woman but a lioness, with a nature more savage than Tuscan Scylla's."
1) Metaphor + Animal imagery
2) Jason about Medea after she takes the lives of the children.
3) Provides imagery, comparing her to a dangerous and deadly creature. Aims to make Medea appear unsympathetic.
Name three key ideas / concerns / tensions explored in 'Medea'
- Betrayal
- Revenge
- Justice
- Loyalty
- Human Nature (selfishness)
- Exile
- The role of women & men
For each question you answer correctly, you add more points (e.g. if you get all three questions correct - you triple the points)
"My fear is she may hatch some unheard-of scheme. She is no ordinary woman; no one making an enemy of her will win an easy victory, take it from me."
a) Who says this / Where in the play does this quote appear?
b) Connect the quote to a key idea / concern / tension.
c) Which literary technique is used here? What is the intended effect?
a) The Nurse says this in the opening scene when she explains Medea's peril.
b) Betrayal / Revenge
c) Foreshadowing & Characterisation / Class Discussion
Which character is being described here?
"your skill with words"
"Let no one think me a weak and feeble woman...but rather one of the other sort, a generous friend, but an enemy to be feared."
"deadly woman"
"wretched, accursed woman"
"made of rock or of iron"
Medea
What is the role of the Chorus in the play?
To represent the audience's expected reactions and offer guidance
What is the difference between a monologue and a soliloquy?
Monologue still has other characters on stage, soliloquy is a solo act
How does Medea's character subvert typical gender roles?
Assertive, powerful, has agency, intelligent
For each question you answer correctly, you add more points (e.g. if you get all three questions correct - you triple the points)
"...we women are the most miserable of specimens! ... And here lies the crucial issue for us, whether we get a good man or a bad. For divorce brings disgrace on a woman and in the interval she cannot refuse her husband. ... [A] woman must turn prophet to know what sort of man she will be dealing with as a husband - not information gained at home."
a) Who says this / Where in the play does this quote appear?
b) Connect the quote to a key idea / concern / tension.
c) Which literary technique is used here? / What is the author communicating (intended effect)?
a) Medea when she comes out of the house and addresses the Chorus.
b) The Role of Women
c) Monologue. Author's intent - [class discussion / teacher judgement]
Which character is being described here?
"unfeeling monster" / "man of stone!" / "Loyalty to loved ones is not his way!" / "poor fool, bridegroom of sorrow" / "Wretched man"
Jason
Why does Euripides present Medea's context through the Nurse?
To frame the story as Medea being victimised
What appears at the end of the play, who sent it and what is the play term for it?
Golden "chariot drawn by dragons", sent by Helios, Deus ex Machina
Connect the quotes to the ideas / concerns / tension
"I will triumph gloriously over my enemies!"
"I shall use honeyed words"
"
Revenge, Manipulation
For each question you answer correctly, you add more points (e.g. if you get all three questions correct - you triple the points)
"Your words are soothing to the ear but I have a terrible misgiving that in your heart you are hatching some evil plan. This makes me trust you even less than previously. A woman who is hot-tempered, and likewise man, is easier to guard against than one who is clever and controls her tongue."
a) Who says this / Where in the play does this quote appear?
b) Connect the quote to a key idea / concern / tension.
c) Which literary technique is used here? What is the intended effect?
a) Creon to Medea as she tries to convince him to let her stay another day.
b) Power & Manipulation. Reason & Passion.
c) Foreshadowing. Creates tension/suspense. [Class discussion, but some suggestions: Audience considers Medea's wiles and ability to manipulate. Euripides reveals that being absorbed by passion can leave one to be vulnerable.]
For each question you answer correctly, you add more points
"Do I want to become a laughing-stock by letting my enemies off scot-free?"
a) Who says this / Where in the play does this quote appear?
b) Connect the quote to a key idea / concern / tension.
c) Which literary technique is used here? What is the intended effect?
a) Medea - monologue as she addresses her children after finalising her plan.
b) Revenge / Justice, Human nature (self-interest)
c) Characterisation - Medea's thought process - she does not want to appear a fool to others.
Why does Creon banish Medea into exile and what does this say about his character?
Based it on past events, shows he is leading and deciding more with his emotions than evidence (of any further intent)
For each question you answer correctly, you add points:
1) Define hubris
2) Name a character who demonstrates hubris. Bonus points if you can give a quote.
1) extreme pride, arrogance or dangerous overconfidence (which can lead to one's demise)
2) Jason's belief that he can betray Medea without consequence.
"But as regards the criticisms you made of my marriage to the princess, I shall demonstrate that in so doing I have shown wisdom, yes, and prudence, and further that I have acted like a true friend to you and to my children."
"No, my motives were different; above all I wanted us to live comfortably and not go without anything...I also wanted to raise my sons in a manner worthy of my house...to ensure my prosperity."
For each question you answer correctly, you add more points (e.g. if you get all three questions correct - you triple the points)
"I fear you. [...] You are a sorceress and a woman who is no stranger to dark knowledge."
a) Who says this / Where in the play does this quote appear?
b) Connect the quote to a key idea / concern / tension.
c) Which literary technique is used here? What is the intended effect?
a) Creon to Medea as he attempts to send her into exile.
b) Fear / Otherness
c) Characterisation. Intended effect [class discussion]
For each question you answer correctly, you add more points
"I am well aware how terrible a crime I am about to commit, but my passion is the master of my reason, passion that causes the greatest suffering in the world."
a) Who says this / Where in the play does this quote appear?
b) Connect the quote to a key idea / concern / tension.
c) Which literary technique is used here? What is the intended effect?
a) Medea
b) Reason vs. Passion, Revenge
c) Foreshadowing.
Author's intention: Euripides warns people that being absorbed by "passion [will cause] the greatest suffering" to those who cannot control it. In the antistrophe, the Chorus states "how many the troubles caused by the love of women!" emphasising the dangers of uncontrolled desires and emotions.
What is the significance of Medea's gifts to Glauce/Creon? Why choose a poisoned dress and coronet?
The gifts are a SYMBOL.
- Medea uses poison a noted 'woman's weapon' which also plays into her abilities as a witch and demigod.
- It connects to Glauce's vanity - how her nature as a vain and self-absorbed person is also her weakness and "bind[s] her to destruction".
What literary technique is this?
What is this communicating?
"For in my eyes the criminal with a gift for speaking deserves the worst of punishments. So confident is he in his tongue's ability to dress his foul thoughts in fair words, there is nothing he dares not do."
Dramatic Irony.
Medea uses her "gift for speaking" on Creon and Aegeus which leads her to extreme measures.
Ask the teacher
Students' answer
For each question you answer correctly, you add more points (e.g. if you get all three questions correct - you triple the points)
"gifts from wicked people bring only harm"
a) Who says this / Where in the play does this quote appear?
b) Connect the quote to a key idea / concern / tension.
c) Which literary technique is used here? What is the intended effect?
a) Medea to Jason
b) Revenge
c) Dramatic Irony + Foreshadowing - why [class discussion]
For each question you answer correctly, you add more points (e.g. if you get all three questions correct - you triple the points)
"May I know the blessing of a heart that is not passion's slave."
a) Who says this / Where in the play does this quote appear?
b) Connect the quote to a key idea / concern / tension.
c) Which literary technique is used here? What is the intended effect?
a) The Chorus in the Antisrophe
b) Passion vs. Reason
c) Intended effect - class discussion