Medea by Rosie Hewlett: Book Club Discussion Questions
- Anita
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
Updated: 14 hours ago
In Medea by Rosie Hewlett, one of mythology’s most infamous women steps out of the shadows and into her own story. Princess, witch, outsider – Medea has always been defined by the men who fear or desire her. When she betrays her family for Jason and helps him claim the Golden Fleece, she believes she is choosing love and a new future. But in a world ruled by gods and fragile male pride, Medea’s devotion curdles into fury as betrayal and exile push her toward an act that will echo through legend.
The Medea book club questions below were created by our Chapter 25 community of passionate readers, who love revisiting myth through fresh, feminist lenses. Ideal for book clubs and mythology lovers alike, these prompts are designed to spark rich discussion around power, agency, vengeance and how history decides which women become villains.
If you’d like to watch our Q&A with Rosie Hewlett, you can find it here.
Medea Book Club Questions:
The book starts with Medea transforming her brother Absyrtus into a pig. She says he has never forgiven her. What do you think of Absyrtus’ treatment of Medea and is it justified?
Medea is quite close with her sister, Chalciope. How do they differ and why is their relationship so important to Medea?
Do you think Hecate gave her powers to Medea because she was bored, as she claims, or is there a deeper meaning?
Why do you think Medea was so quick to believe that Circe had abandoned her?
The character of Phrixtus comes into Medea’s life like a whirlwind. Why do you think she was drawn to him?
What was your reaction to Chalciope marrying Phrixtus?
Medea seems desperate for acceptance. How does her relationship with her father play into this?
How does Medea’s character develop when she meets Jason?
Did you feel empathy for Medea in her early years? If so, why?
What was your first impression of Jason? Did this change? Medea transforms one of her father’s most loyal guards into the infamous Colchian Dragon to protect the equally infamous Golden Fleece; how did this spell impact the story and her relationship with her father?
What did you think of Medea’s decision to help Jason obtain the Golden Fleece?
Do you think the Golden Fleece ever had any power?
Atalanta enters the story as the only female Argonaut and a voice of reason for Medea. It is almost as if she is a guiding light for her despite the judgement she faces for her gender. How do you think Atalanta could have changed things for Medea had she heeded her advice?
As she flees Colchis, Medea is faced with an impossible choice – her life or her brother Absyrtus. Did she make the right choice?
What do you think would have happened if Medea had not killed Absyrtus? Would Jason have protected her?
Medea finally gets to meet Circe again but it is not on the terms she hoped. What do you think Circe’s powers are and why is she so against Jason?
Would Jason have left Medea if she had not been pregnant?
There are a few incidences in the story where there are time jumps. Do you think these were effective?
Medea seems determined to label herself as a poor mother to her sons because she lacks warmth. Do you think her sons dislike her?
Why does Jason object to their sons learning of the magic Medea possesses?
Why do you think Medea is so wary of the opinions of the others around her, and why has she not acted in the time that she has lived there?
In arguably the most shocking scene of the book, Medea poisons her sons and murders Jason’s new fiancé. Why do you think she did this?
Throughout the novel, all the characters seem to fear the wrath of the Gods; however, despite everything she has done, Medea is asked to complete favours for Zeus. What do you think of the Gods and their impression of morality?
How does the Medea from the beginning of the novel differ from the Medea at the end when she is finally visited by Chalciope?
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