MEDEA,the Big Ideas

Worksheet 1:

Circle of Viewpoints Routine: perspectives of Medea, Chorus, Messenger, Jason.

Brainstorm a list of different perspectives and then use this script skeleton to explore
each one:

1. I am thinking of ... the topic... From the point of view of ... the viewpoint
you've chosen

2. I think ... describe the topic from your viewpoint. Be an actor - take on the
character of your viewpoint

3. A question I have from this viewpoint is ... ask a question from this
viewpoint

Wrap up: What new ideas do you have about the topic that you didn't have before?
What new questions do you have?

Medea and her actions:

Consider Medeas speech L 1020- 1080.

Consider the Chorus L 1080-115
Consider the Messengers speech L 1121-1235

Possible discu ssion questions:

Is there any justification for killing her children?

In this play, is it Euripides suggestion that there could be a justification for
such a heinous crime so that, ultimately, a truly just society may come about?
As what is affirmed in the killing of her son is the unnaturalness of the act,
generated not out of impulse but from a rational reading of the situation to
which she has been brought by the social order of Creon and Jason.
L1320-1346
As a woman she embraces her personal agony, but her act had wider political
significance.
Do you agree and do we then pity Jason?
What justification does Medea give for her action?
Does Medea ultimately obtain justice for Jasons actions?

What makes the play a tragedy?

Some considerations:

The untimely death of innocents

No satisfactory resolution to impact individuals or society
 No heroic figure- who understands and learns or acknowledges a
weakness
Tragedy does not always equal death, and if it doesnt, what is the
suffering for Jason and Medea?

What is the role of the outsider?

Extended response:

Either:

The effect of social isolation and lack of understanding can lead to breakdown,
suffering and violence.

Discuss this notion in relation to your reading of the play.

Or:

How has Medeas role as an outsider contributed to this tragedy?

EXPLANATION GAME

Worksheet 2:

The Explanation Game is a tool to explore three important conversations in the text:
They are:

1. Medea and Creon (215- 360)

2. Medea and Jason (445- 625)
3. Medea and Aegeus (662-765)

The Routine is a tool for groups to explore why the characters act and think as they
do. Each group can record their interpretation on butchers paper or on their laptops.
You must have clear references to evidence which support your interpretation.

Keep our Understanding Goals in mind:

What is the impact of society upon the individual?

How do playwrights allow the audience to experience the feelings of
individuals as they navigate the expectations of society?
How does witnessing the characters struggles help develop our own sense of
empathy and tolerance?
How can you use an aspect of the tragic form to demonstrate understanding
of the characters plight?

First your group identifies aspects of interest about objects or ideas in each of
the conversations:

I notice that. (e.g. in speech 1, Medea says

And then follows these observations with the questions:

Why is it that way?

What does this mean for why she acts as she does?

What is the importance of this observation?

Reflection:

How has your understanding of Medea been enriched by her interaction with these
three men?