11 Medea: The Making of a Heroine

Question 1

Agamemnon

Answer 1

The son of the sea goddess Thetis, who was destined to produce a son who would be greater than Zeus. (p. 459)

Question 2

Antigone

Answer 2

The daughter of Oedipus, who defies King Creon’s orders by burying her brother Polyneices. (p. 529)

Question 3

Charilla

Answer 3

A girl who was struck in the face with a sandal and killed herself—leading to a ritual cult practice in Delphi in her honor. (p. 507)

Question 4

Clytemnestra

Answer 4

The wife of Agamemnon who murdered her husband—and was murdered in turn by her son Orestes. (p. 513)

Question 5

Creusa

Answer 5

The Corinthian princess to whom Jason hoped to be married, until their wedding day was spoiled by Jason’s current wife Medea. (p. 517)

Question 6

Erinyes

Answer 6

A group of female avenging spirits associated with the Underworld, who pursue Orestes for killing Clytemnestra. (p. 514)

Question 7

Hecuba

Answer 7

The wife of Priam and the mother of nineteen murdered sons and many murdered daughters, over the course of the Trojan War and afterward. (p. 514)

Question 8

Helen

Answer 8

In most stories, it is Helen who goes to Troy—perhaps under her own volition—and lives as Paris’ wife during the ten years of war. (p. 512)

Question 9

Hera Acraia

Answer 9

Medea declares that she will bury her sons in an area sacred to this goddess in Corinth and will establish annual festivals in their honor. (p. 517)

Question 10

Heroine shrine

Answer 10

These could be located within a city and often included a tomb, a gravestone, an altar, a small temple, dedications, or a cult statue. (p. 510)

Question 11

Jason

Answer 11

The husband of Medea, who attempted—and failed—to persuade her that his new marriage would be advantageous for her and her children. (p. 516)

Question 12

Keres

Answer 12

Winged daughters of the goddess Night, who exacted vengeance on behalf of those who had died violently and prematurely. (p. 509)

Question 13

Medea

Answer 13

Aids Jason in his quest for the Golden Fleece, is brought back to Greece, and exacts a terrible revenge on her husband when he wishes to marry another (and suitably Greek) woman. (p. 516)

Question 14

Menelaus

Answer 14

The husband of Helen, who fights a war for her retrieval and possesses her in marriage until, and beyond, their deaths. (p. 512)

Question 15

Poene

Answer 15

An avenging female spirit who “steals” (i.e. kills) newborn babies. (p. 509)