are ritual dramas merely symbolic, or do they in some way release divine power or effect some sort of change?
what elements of an Aristotelian comedy can be found in the stories of the plagues?
who are the contenders in the cosmic battle that unfolds in the story?
what do you make of the fact that the Egyptian magicians can replicate, but not reverse, some of the plagues?
is the pharaoh responsible for the plagues on the Egyptians, or is God responsible because he hardens the pharaoh’s heart?
does Moses achieve his rightful place in society at the end of the story? what is that place?
what elements of class struggle does the story present? is there any political satire?
what is the meaning of the Israelites “plundering” the Egyptians?—gifts from Egyptian neighbors, bribes to stop plagues, extortion?