Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

Discussion Questions

Feb. 12: Greek Witchcraft

• Derek Pepiak:dpepiak@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • In the introduction to the story of Circe and Odysseus, we are told that because Circe is beautiful, it is more likely that she is a minor goddess and not a witch.  Is ugliness a prevalent or defining feature among Greek witches?
  • Medea states that she is most skilled in poison; thus, had this been a Roman work, she would be considered a veneficia, a poisoner.  Do the Greeks have an equivalent term (one as specific as the Latin term for being a poisoner)?
  • In mythology, what eventually happens to Medea after her escape?  Is she punished in any way for her deeds?

• Nicholas Backer : nbacker@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • I had a important question to ask Rev. Simmons, but being scribe had no chance. She gave the example of asking for furniture in circle because she was sick of her old college furniture. A short time later she stated that magic only works for ones actual needs. Is new furniture a true need?
  • I would like to discuss with the class whether or not Medea practiced black or white magic. If there is a legitimate reason to harm someone-as in Medea's case, does the negative use of magic constitute black magic?
  • In "Arcana Mundi," Luck states that some Greeks felt Medea might have been a minor goddess rather than a witch. he does not discuss any distinction between the two in the Hellenistic period, and I am curious what distinctions we might be able to come up with in class.

• Kate Bolin--kbolin@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • Can drama and high epics be considered accurate depictions of ancient witches?
  • If so, were all Greek witches so hysterical?
  • Finally, was Medea justified in her actions?

• Zachary Harrelson: zharrel@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • Who is wrong, Jason or Medea? Who do we hate more? Out of curiosity, what does popular myth tell about Medea's life after this play?
  • Medea commented that people who are more clever or learned in certain disciplines, presumably referring to witchcraft, are either envied or hated by thise around them. Weren't people afraid of the adverse effects this envy or hatred would have on themselves, especially in light of the retribution Medea paid to Jason?
  • What type of witches were Circe and Medea? They do not seem human because they are decended from divine lineages. They also do not seem to be demonic and definitely are not manifestations of the cosmic force of evil. So where do they fit in?

• Michelle Arens: marens@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • 1. To what extent were the ancient witches possibly just misunderstood persons with medicinal knowledge?
  • 2. What characteristics/spells/events are common among the witches described?
  • 3. How could this practice of witchcraft have evolved into modern witchcraft?

• Gregg Slate: gslate@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • How is magic considered a science in antiquity?
  • Explain the difference between circe as a goddess and as a witch?
  • How does Medea control the casting of her spells as to avoid harm to herself?

• Christina Wilson: cwilson2@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • Was Circe a witch or a lesser goddess?
  • What is the difference between the two?
  • How and why did the perception of Circe change over the years?
  • In some of the readings, the "moon goddess" and hectate are refered to...what is the correlation between magic and religion in these instances?

• Jason S. Lapkin : dweinb@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • How can Medea be compared to the witches of early Europe which were discussed in Feb. 3's class? What attributes do they share? Are they related?
  • Is Medea justified in her actions? Is she morally good or evil?
  • How can Medea's relationship w/ the divine shed light on how witches fit into Greek religion in antiquity?

• Bradley Laye: blaye@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • Medea and Chorus refer the gods by name or as "gods" and other times say G-d bless you, etc. Do they believe in one G-d and than simply use the gods of the poets as added metaphor?
  • Medea has no magical or supernatural powers, only "cleverness," so how does this related to witches?
  • Is she considered one of the first feminists? She speaks in terms very closely resembling the Modern Feminist Movement in terms of relations to other women, her children, etc.

• Thomas Brabham: tbrabha@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • Why was Medea so cold-hearted to her children?
  • What curse did Meadea supposedly cast on the king's family that is mentioned in a conversation between Medea and Jason?
  • All the witches seen in these stories are not what I would think would be the ideal picture of a witch. Medea, Simaetha, and Circe are more like cast-out goddesses. Why so?
  • Why are men these women's weakness? Medea is banished from everywhere, Circe's poison is overpovered so she sleeps with the one who did it, and Simaetha seems to be upset because she can't get what she wants. . . all three are because of men.

• Jay Munsch:wmunsch@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • What practices are attributed to Medea?
  • What characteristics (personality traits) distinguish Medea in the eyes of the other characters?
  • What other mythological figures are considered witches and what specifically do they do?

• Tobin Cataldo: tcatald@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  • What is the importance of repition?
  • What is the importance dealing with the number 3?
  • Was Hecate the god of magic and supernatural?