Dear Cinemythologists,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, October 20, our on Medea & Jason, continues with a close look at the most iconic version of this myth’s heroine: the Medea of Euripides. Accordingly, this will be an all-reading, no-viewing class<\/p>\n\n\n\n
READING<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there is one text that has shaped the legacy of Medea, it is this play. If you read no other Athenian tragedy in your life, let it be this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you read, please consider the following questions, and identify specific passages that support your reasoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A. Who are the Chorus, and how would you characterize their relationship with Medea? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
B. What, if anything, precipitates the murder of the children. Is the audience prepared for it, or does it come out of the blue? Why do you think so?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C. How would you characterize the relationship between Medea and the male characters of the play? How do you think the staging reflects that relationship?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
D. This tragedy, though now widely hailed as Euripides’ masterpiece, was accorded last place at the dramatic festival of 431 BCE. What might account for that verdict?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Griffiths’ chapter on Euripides’ tragedy will help you think through some of the above. Please read it after the play, not before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note that Griffiths’ book is from the same very useful Routledge series as Daniel Odgen’s book on Perseus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In class we’ll discuss the play and then survey screen texts indebted to Euripides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On Tuesday, October 20, our on Medea & Jason, continues with a close look at the most iconic version of this myth’s heroine: the Medea of Euripides. Accordingly, this will be an all-reading, no-viewing class Euripides, Medea. If there is one text that has shaped the legacy of Medea, it is this play. If you … <\/p>\n