Medea Thesis Paper
English 10
Use class discussion to help you formulate
your ideas about Medea and Jason
Character
“Jason and the
Argonauts” Myth
Medea by
Euripides
Medea
Jason
In this essay you will compare 1 character from their portrayal in
the myth to who they become in the play. Begin by filling out the
graphic organizer below in regards to character traits. Next,
choose one character, write an introduction paragraph following
the model below and lastly make a thesis statement explaining
why you think the character you chose changed between the
myth and the play.
Brain Storm:
What are reasons for why both Medea and Jason
changes between the myth and the story?
Reasons for Change in
Medea’s Character
Reasons for Change in
Jason’s Character
Your Essay Outline:
1
Introduction = Summarize both myths, introduce a character and
explain how their situation has changed. Write Thesis Statement
(Give 3 changes within the character of your choice.)
Body P 1:
1st change in
character.
Body P 2:
2nd change in
character.
Body P 3:
3rd change
in character.
5
Conclusion
Introduction Paragraph
Checklist
Introduction Paragraph
Attention Getter
Titles of myth and play (with author)
Brief summary of myth involving
selected character
Brief summary of play involving selected
character
Thesis statement
Example Introduction Paragraph
(Attention Getter) The British playwright, William Congreve, said it best in
his play, The Mourning Bride, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
(Summary of myth) In the “Jason and the Argonauts” myth, Jason, the
hero, seeks the Golden Fleece that is held sacred by Colchis; lovingly,
Princess Medea of Colchis aids Jason in his task.
(Summary of Play) In Euripides’ play, Princess Medea of Colchis (and
Priestess of Hecate) becomes a betrayed queen, who has already been
exiled from her home land and Jason’s homeland of Iolcus. In the play
Medea, the mythical Greek hero known as Jason prepares to marry
Princess Glauce of Corinth to secure a throne for power and wealth.
(Thesis) Callously, Jason makes his marital plans without telling his wife,
Medea, and their two sons. Therefore, Medea becomes a vengeful, proud,
and murderous scorned princess without a throne or a place to call home.
Note how the thesis statement forecasts the
content of the following body paragraphs.
Moving on from your Introduction:
1
(Thesis)
Medea becomes a vengeful, proud, and murderous scorned
princess without a throne or a place to call home.
Body P 1:
Medea as
vengeful
Body P 2:
Medea as
Proud
Body P 3:
Medea as
Murderous
5
Conclusion
Body Paragraph
Checklist
Body Paragraphs 1-3
Restatement of part of thesis
Summarize character from myth
Summarize 1 character trait from play
Give quote
Explain quote
Example Body Paragraphs (Arguments)
(Restatement of part of thesis) When Jason leaves Medea, one of the first
changes the audience notices is that she becomes vengeful.
(Summary of myth) In “Jason and the Argonauts” Medea was portrayed as
something of a heroine. Originally, Medea was renowned for being clever
as she helped Jason fight against unspeakable odds.
(Summary of new trait) In Contrast, Medea in the play, now actually has
something to be vengeful for—she has been betrayed by who she thought
was the love of her life.
(Quote) Medea, for example after speaking to Creon the king of Corinth
stated, “Everything’s set in every way against me. But don’t imagine this
is all – not yet…I’ve time to turn three enemies to corpses—The father and
the daughter, and my husband” (Euripedes 79).
(Explanation) Medea is now planning to use her clever wits in the a divisive
plot to kill all who have insulted her. Unlike her earlier role as heroine,
Medea now treads in morally grey area as neither the audience, nor the
Chorus can wholeheartedly approve of her revenge.
Repeat the process within 2 more
body paragraphs.
Active and Academic Verbs to
Use in Critical Literary Analysis
Emphasizes
Creates
Juxtaposes
Identifies
Clarifies
Echoes
Balances
Elucidates
Illustrates
Implies
Organizes
Contrasts
Develops
Relates
Compares
Exemplifies
Alludes to
Reinforces
Argues
Connotes
Expresses
Suggests
Parallels
Observes
Defines
Mirrors
Focuses
Insinuates
Conclusion
Checklist
Body Paragraphs 1-3
Restatement of thesis
Borrow information and points made from
paragraphs
End with final thoughts or a quote explaining the
chorus or societal views.
Grading Rubric
Category
25
20
15
10
Focus on Topic Maintains exceptional focus on
the topic; has a one sentence
thesis statement that clearly
answers the prompt
Maintains consistent focus Provides inconsistent
Demonstrates little or no
on the topic & has a one
focus on the topic & thesis focus & no thesis
sentence thesis statement statement is unclear
statement.
that answers the prompt.
Support for
Relevant, quality details give the
Topic (Content) reader important information
that goes beyond the obvious or
predictable.
Supporting details and
information are relevant,
but one key issue or
portion of the storyline is
unsupported.
Supporting details and
information are relevant,
but several key issues or
portions of the storyline
are unsupported.
Supporting details and
information are typically
unclear or not related to
the topic.
Quote Use
The writer successfully
uses one or two quotes
throughout the paper. The
quotes are proficiently
introduced and analyzed.
The writer attempts to use
quotations but not
effectively .
The writer made no
attempt to use
contextual support.
Writer makes 3 errors in
grammar or spelling. The
writer uses somewhat
effective language and
sentences/phrases slightly
vary in length & structure.
A slight deviation from
MLA citation.
Writer makes 4 mistakes
in grammar or spelling.
The writer uses somewhat
effective language and
sentences/phrases which
slightly vary in length and
structure. Negligent MLA
citation.
Writer makes more than
4 errors in grammar or
spelling. The
sentences/phrases do
not vary in length and
structure. No MLA
citation
The writer successfully uses at
least one quotation as
contextual support for each
argument within their thesis
statement. The writer displays a
distinguished competency when
introducing and analyzing
quotes being used.
Grammar, Style Writer makes no errors in
& MLA
grammar or spelling. The writer
uses effective language and
sentences/phrases which
appropriately vary in length &
structure. No errors in MLA
citations.