Close Reading

Select a passage you like (no more than 5 lines in length) and do a close reading (like what we did in class on Thursday) of that passage. There should be no repeat passages among the class. Everyone needs to select a different set of 5 lines. The idea here is to work collaboratively to do a close reading of a variety of lines throughout Act II so that we can gain deeper insight into the entire act through each other's work. Pick lines that intrigue you, puzzle you, delight you, whatever. You should explain the meaning of words and images and then offer an overall analysis of the lines. Again, just as we did together in class on Thursday.

What Makes a Classical Hero?

Based on the chapters of the Iliad we have read thus far, and based on the personalities and actions of the characters that we know are considered the heroes of this epic, what do you think are the valued attributes of a classical epic hero? Please be specific in your answer by explaining which character or characters you are considering and which qualities they have are presented as or received as epic.

Gods Amongst Men

In Book 8, we see the ways in which the gods are directly involved in and concerned with the specific actions and interactions of human beings. In class on Friday I suggested that the gods operate somewhat like the television audience that watches and votes on America's Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars or American Idol.  While that might be a helpful pop culture reference to understand the Ancient Greek gods, there are certainly more levels and complexities to them. So, what would you say are those levels and complexities? What do you notice about the different personalities of the gods? Are there particular power dynamics that you are aware of? Do the gods seem to operate on the same interpersonal rules that humans do or do they have their own set of rules? Please cite specific lines from Book 8 to support your assertions about the gods.

South Park Satire vs. Classical Comedy

So, we've talked about the topic of contemporary satire like South Park as a parallel to the comedic commentary that The Lysistrata provides of Athenian society. Now that you've watched an actual episode of South Park, what similarities and differences do you observe in the approaches to commentary and jokes between the two works? Please pay particular attention to who the hero of the episode seems to be and whether you are supposed to sympathize with the hero or find the hero ridiculous. Since I gave the option of watching 2 episodes, please make sure to state which episode you watched.

Gendered language

In class today, I asked you to pay attention to the language that is used to describe Clytemnaestra and her femaleness--or lack there of. Now that we've come to the end of the play, what are your thoughts about the portrayals of men and women throughout the play? Are there consistent themes? Surprising contradictions? Bizarre anomalies? What should we make of all that? Please refer to passages that illustrate your points.

So, what do you think?

Now that you've finished reading the play, what are your gut reactions to everything that has happened and how it has been concluded? Have your opinions of Medea changed? What about Jason? Any thoughts on which character would most accurately meet Aristotle's expectations of a tragic hero? No need to cite passages for this entry. Just speak freely and try engaging your classmates in your posts. 

Foreignness in Medea

Throughout the play, Medea's status as an outsider is referred to for a variety of reasons, but is generally considered a negative attribute. We have already discussed and explored some ways in which Medea's foreignness is held against her by Jason, but Medea herself sees her status as an outsider as a profound liability.  In this evening's reading, Medea discusses being an exile and outsider when she struggles with her decision of whether or not to kill her children.  How do you understand this issue of belonging vs not belonging, being native vs being foreign, being in your homeland vs. being exiled as influencing Medea's actions? You are welcome to refer to lines from earlier reading, but please focus your response on tonight's assignment and please include specific lines from the play.