Medea is presented from the start of the play in heroic terms. Her language and action, as well as the familiar frame in which they operate, mark her as a heroic character, one of those characters whose purpose was specific, whose defiance of threats and advice, whose refusal to betray their own ideal vision were the preoccupation of Sophoclean tragedy. ... There is only one person who can and does pose a real obstacle to Medea's plans, who can effectively confront her with an argument "Medea herself. ... Medea is quite sure, however, that the gods are on her side. ... Medea'...

• Word Count: 1681
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

The narrator's slightly humorous description of the gift he would give the god Morpheus is a parallel to the pious offering that Alcyone makes in her prayer to Juno. ... This comedic turn shows the difference between the noble, allegorical characters in the story (Alcyone, Juno, Seys) and the realistic, human characters of the poet's world. ... Once he finally falls into a deep sleep, his dream is so fantastic that it apparently defies description. ... He describes her modesty, moderation, courtesy toward all, and the general integrity of her character. ...

• Word Count: 5753
• Approx Pages: 23
• Grade Level: High School

Reading the plays of the classical playwrights give us evidence of women as strong, central characters in Greek tragedies and epics. ... We get our first detailed descriptions of the Greek deities in these epic tales. ...

• Word Count: 7196
• Approx Pages: 29
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School