Axel-Lute

ENG 2403

 

                        Study Guide for Medea

 

 

Names to know:

Medea                                     Jason                                        Kreon

Aigeus                                      Corinth                         Pelias

Hecate                                    

 

 

In her opening speech, the nurse recounts for us the background of Jason and Medea.

How did they end up in Corinth?

What is Jason planning to do now?

How is Medea reacting to it?

The tutor brings even worse news. What does he say Kreon is planning to do?

 

Medea’s first words are spoken off-stage. What is her state of mind? What does she threaten to do?

 

Who are the Chorus members? Why have they come to see Medea?

 

When Medea does enter, she seems in a different mood. Read carefully her long speech on pages 8-9. What does she say about women and their position in Greek society?

 

How does she talk Kreon out of banishing her immediately?

 

What does Jason say to Medea when he arrives? How does Medea respond? Does he seem to have any idea of what he’s done wrong, or why she is so angry?

 

What does Medea get Aigeus to promise to do? How does this further her plan?

 

What does Medea do to Kreon’s daughter? Why? How does she get Jason to help her in this? How does Kreon die?

 

In Medea’s speech starting on page 33, she seems to be wavering in her plan to kill her sons. What are her arguments for and against?

 

What is the Chorus’s response (page 35-36)? Look also at what they say when hearing the children dying (page 41).

 

How does Medea escape Corinth?