Medea
By Euripides
441 BC
About Euripides:
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Author of some of the most
disturbing Greek dramas. The
Bachaai" or the "The Bacchantes"
is a powerful its dark vision of
divinity.
Medea, meanwhile, features
probably one of the most
unpleasant of heroines in
literature.
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Euripides was born about 480 BC
and died in 407 BC
He wrote about 90 plays, mostly
tragedies. We still have 17 of
these tragedies and one satyr play.
He wrote about some women in
Greek myths, like Electra and
Medea. He made men and women
from the myths seem quite
ordinary and not at all grand. He
showed Electra, who was a
princess, dressed in rags and
living in a hut.
Euripides – Pro/Con
Criticism of Euripides
 Euripides' standing as a dramatist has
often been disputed, especially during
his lifetime.
 While Aristotle heralded him "the
most tragic of poets," he also criticized
Euripides' confused handling of plot
and the less-than-heroic nature of his
protagonists.
 Aristophanes, a comic dramatist,
constantly mocked Euripides'
tendency towards word-play and
paradox.
Praise of Euripides
 Euripides' role as a dramatic innovator is
unquestionable
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The simplicity of his dialogue and its closeness to
natural human speech patterns paved the way for
dramatic realism
His plots and emotional scenes created our
understanding of melodrama.
Admired by Socrates and other philosophers,
 Euripides also distinguished himself as a free
thinker.
 Criticisms of traditional religion and defenses of
oppressed groups (especially women and slaves)
enter his plays with an explicitness unheard of
before him.
 More than any other work of art, plays such as
The Bacchae, Trojan Women,, and Electra would
become basic components of the Athenian
citizen's political education.
Medea’s & Jason’s Earlier Adventures
WEB QUEST: Research the following online. Answer using complete
sentences.
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What is the earliest depiction of Medea in Greek mythology?
What did the oracle warn Pelias about? Who did it turn out to be?
How did Pelias plan to rid himself of Jason?
Name 3 of the dangers Jason and the Argonauts faced on their
journey to Colchis?
What did King Aeetes require Jason to do to win the golden
fleece?
How did Medea help Jason get the Golden Fleece?
How did Medea help Jason and the Argonauts escape?
Did Pelias give up his throne upon Jason’s return? What was
Medea’s plan?
What was the result of Medea’s plan?
What does Jason do when he and Medea are in Corinth?
Introduction to Greek Drama p. 300 – 301
Answer the following using complete sentences.
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About when was Medea first presented?
Who is Dionysus?
Why is everyone invited and encouraged to attend the
plays during the festival?
Why was it unusual for women to be in the audience?
Why did the actors make themselves “larger than life”?
Are there any actresses in the theater?
Why did the actors wear masks?
What is a skene?
From what did the Greek plays develop?
What “separation” allowed Greek drama to flourish?
What were Greek tragedies based on?
What was required of the tragedies?
Medea’s & Jason’s Earlier Adventures
WEB QUEST: Research the following online. Answer using complete
sentences.
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Continuing to use the internet, create a
simple timeline depicting at least 10-15 of
Medea’s and Jason’s earlier adventures.
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DUE NEXT CLASS
Open Mind Masks
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Create a mask that:
1. Portrays the mood and tone of the play so far
2. Reveals the character’s thoughts and feelings
towards other characters and events in Act I
A. Symbolic pictures
B. Use of quotes encouraged
C. Mask should be completely colored
3. Boys = Jason
Girls = Medea