Question 1

Why is Medea considered an 'improper' woman in Greek tragedy?

Accepted Answer

Medea is considered 'improper' because she defies the traditional female roles of wife and mother. She uses her intelligence and magical powers to manipulate others, and ultimately kills her own children to revenge her husband Jason's betrayal. In ancient Athens, where women were expected to be submissive and confined to the home, Medea's assertiveness and violence were seen as monstrous and unnatural. Euripides uses her character to challenge the audience's assumptions about gender and justice.

Question 2

How does Dido's portrayal in the Aeneid reflect Roman ideals of womanhood?

Accepted Answer

Dido is initially portrayed as a good leader and a woman of pietas (duty) when she builds Carthage. However, her affair with Aeneas leads her to neglect her duties, making her 'improper' in Roman eyes. Her suicide is presented as a tragic consequence of her emotional excess, contrasting with Aeneas' pietas in leaving her to fulfil his destiny. Virgil uses Dido to warn against the dangers of passion overriding duty, reinforcing Roman values of self-control and loyalty to the state.

Question 3

What role did 'improper' women play in Athenian society?

Accepted Answer

In Athenian society, 'improper' women in myth and drama served as cautionary examples. They reinforced the ideal that women should be silent, obedient, and confined to the home. By depicting the disastrous consequences of female transgression (e.g., Clytemnestra's murder of Agamemnon, Medea's infanticide), these stories justified the patriarchal system. However, they also allowed Athenian men to explore anxieties about female power and the potential chaos if women stepped out of line.

Question 4

Were there any real 'improper' women in ancient Rome?

Accepted Answer

Yes, historical figures like Cleopatra and Agrippina the Younger were labelled 'improper' by Roman writers. Cleopatra was portrayed as a seductive foreign queen who threatened Roman values, while Agrippina was accused of incest and political manipulation. These portrayals were often biased by the authors' political agendas—for example, to justify Augustus' victory over Antony and Cleopatra. Studying these figures helps us understand how Roman writers used gender stereotypes to discredit their enemies.

Question 5

How does the concept of 'improper' women relate to the Greek idea of hubris?

Accepted Answer

In Greek thought, hubris (excessive pride or defiance of the gods) often leads to nemesis (downfall). 'Improper' women like Clytemnestra and Medea display hubris by taking power into their own hands, challenging male authority. Their actions are seen as a violation of natural order, and their tragic ends serve as a moral lesson. For example, Clytemnestra's murder of Agamemnon is an act of hubris that ultimately leads to her death at the hands of her son Orestes.

Question 6

What is the difference between 'improper' women in Greek and Roman literature?

Accepted Answer

Greek literature often focuses on the psychological and emotional motivations of 'improper' women, as seen in Euripides' Medea, where Medea's internal conflict is explored. Roman literature, such as Virgil's Aeneid, tends to emphasise the consequences of 'improper' behaviour for the state or family. Roman authors also highlight the concept of pudicitia (female modesty) more explicitly. Additionally, Roman portrayals are often more political, using 'improper' women to comment on contemporary issues like the decline of traditional values.

'Improper' Women

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Related Topics in OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation

Athens at War in the 5th century

Characterisation

Content of Myth and Religion (J199/11)

Content of Roman City Life (J199/22)