Medea+Discussion+Questions

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Time Period
What is the time period and how does it affect the literary style?

Medea was written during ancient Greek times (4th century BC), which affects many aspects of the literary concepts and structure. During this age female protagonists were quite rare; furthermore, female characters were usually characterized as being evil and weak. Medea was crafted to embody and depict the sinful nature of women. Euripides cleverly intertwines the lower status in society that criminals and women received.

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Author's Purpose
What is the author's purpose in writing the selected piece?

Euripides Medea portrays an individual's struggle through the world and edifies the audience that conviction is opinionated. Euripides presents us with the question “Was Medea justified in her acts of cruelty towards Jason for what he did?” This paradoxing question has lead to many interpretations of society and the natural human spirit.

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Literary techniques
What literary techniques does the author employ in achieving his or her purpose?

Euripides employs irony(cool) to get his purpose across. Medea "wins" at the end of the play even though she commits unspeakable mental harm and injustices towards Jason. She was also critised and exiled, and yet she still feels accomplished and good. In addition to irony there are also elements of Juxtaposition which enables you to sympathize with either or both Jason and Medea.

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Literature characteristics
How is the literature characteristic of the time period?

Ancient greek mythology heavily focused on dire choices heroes had to make that would define the essence and morality of that hero. If that hero exeriences lack of misjudgment it most likely lead to the downfall of the hero resulting in a tragic hero. Divine intervention was not uncommon and was used as a justification for any course of action. In addition to this Greek literature was heavily focused on revenge and rage.

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