by Ovid
THE Hæmonian mothers and aged fathers bring presents, for receiving their son’s safe home; and frankincense dissolves, piled on the flames, and the devoted victim falls, having its horns gilded. But Æson is not among those congratulating, being now near death, and worn out with the years of old age; when thus the son of Æson addresses Medea: “O wife, to whom I confess that I owe my safety, although thou hast granted me everything, and the sum of thy favors exceeds all belief; still, if thy enchantments can effect this (and what can enchantments not effect?), take away from my own years, and, when taken, add them to those of my father.”
And thus saying, he could not check his tears. She was moved with the affection of the petitioner; and her father, Æetes, left behind, recurred to her mind, unlike that of Jason; yet she did not confess any such feelings. “What a piece of wickedness, husband,” said she, “has escaped thy affectionate lips! Can I, then, seem capable of transferring to any one a portion of thy life? May Hecate not allow of this; nor dost thou ask what is reasonable; but, Jason, I will endeavor to grant thee a favor still greater than that which thou art asking. By my arts we will endeavor to bring back the long years of my father-in-law, and not by means of thy years; if the Goddess of the triple form do but assist, and propitiously aid so vast an undertaking.”
"The Metamorphoses" by Ovid
Question
Use the excerpt from Metamorphoses by Ovid to answer the question.
What is the purpose of the soliloquy in this passage?
(1 point)
Responses
to disclose a plan that is better than what Jason requested
to disclose a plan that is better than what Jason requested
to show how much Jason believes in Medea’s magical abilities
to show how much Jason believes in Medea’s magical abilities
to show Jason is willing to lose years of life to help his father
to show Jason is willing to lose years of life to help his father
to introduce the reader to the character of Jason
1 answer
The correct response is:
to disclose a plan that is better than what Jason requested
In this passage, Medea addresses Jason’s request for her to take away his years and add them to his father’s. Instead, she proposes to restore Æson's years without sacrificing Jason’s, highlighting her magical abilities and deepening the narrative around her character and relationship with Jason.
