STUDY QUESTIONS FOR ALCESTIS, HELEN AND CYCLOPS:

1. The Alcestis obviously ends happily, is there something more going on here? What? Or is the play nothing more than the simple happy tale it seems to be? And if the latter, what makes it a tragedy?

2. How is Euripides’ version of Helen in his Helen related to the other versions of Helen that we have seen elsewhere? What is Euripides trying to do in this play? Is he successful?

3. Somewhat the same idea approached from a different direction: which Helen is the real Helen? what makes her real?

4. As explained in class, the Cyclops is a satyr play, not a tragedy. Nonetheless, what does it share with tragedy?

5. What is each of these plays about? What will we talk about when we go to the wine shop after the play is over?