Some questions to think about while you read Medea

Medea:

-          How is Medea heroic? How is she a victim? In what ways does her society limit her? What obstacles does she face?

-          What are the reasons behind her actions?

-          What characteristics and behavior does she value? Does she demonstrate such behavior?

-          How does she use the weaknesses of others – and perhaps her own weaknesses – to achieve goals?

-          To what extent do other characters sympathize with Medea? (Distinguish between sympathizing with her predicament and approving of with her actions.)

-          What does Medea say about herself? What do other characters say about her?

-          To what extent does she anticipate – and accept – consequences of her decisions?

Jason:

-          What are Jason’s goals? How does he try to achieve them?

-          What kind of behavior does Jason consider honorable? Does he demonstrate such behavior? If yes, how? If not, why?

-          Why is Medea so angry with Jason?

-          Why does Jason claim that he married the princess for the benefit of Medea and their children?

-          How does Jason (willingly or unwillingly) help Medea carry out her plans?

-          What does Jason say about himself, and what do other characters say about him?

-          What kind of comments does he make about Medea? What attitudes do his comments reveal?

-          How (if at all) does Jason suffer?

Adapted from “Introduction to Women's Studies and Classical Studies: 

Victims and Heroes; Antigone, Medea, Neaera,” by Patricia Graham-Skoul,  <http://www.luc.edu/faculty/pgraha1/womeninantiquity/models.htm>