Bacchae Scholars

Question 1

Main argument

Answer 1

ambivalent nature of Dionysus
positive/negative aspects of him and his worship
gentle/terrible sides to him

Question 2

Verrall (rationalist interpretation)

Answer 2

Euripides upholds values of ordered state –> presents dangers of religion and foreign cults
disorder (women leaving the city) and violent destruction follow his worship

in earlier plays, he criticises traditional religion
- in Frogs he believes in new gods
- scholars see him as an atheist
- in this view, Dionysus is unworthy of out respect

Question 3

Dodds (irrationalist interpretation)

Answer 3

Euripides celebrates uninhibited Dionysian passion and pleasure.
Pentheus suffers because he is a Puritan, suppressing his emotions and feelings.

Question 4

Seaford (cult/political reading)

Answer 4

play dramatises arrival of cult of Dionysus in Greece
based around the Mysteries
celebrates power of the cult to bring peace and posterity to the polis

Question 5

Nietzsche (autobiographical reading)

Answer 5

Euripides was a rationalist atheist earlier in life, opposed to the Dionysian life of passion
in this play, he recognises the necessity of the Dionysian as a part of life, glorifying Dionysus and his cult
Pentheus attempts to resist Dionysus, as Euripides did, but in the end, he cannot

Question 6

Audiences (405 BC)

Answer 6

• taking part in festival of Dionysus when watching the play –> all worshipping him
• aspects of cult were only open to women –> Athenian men may have been scared of what the women did (unusual freedom for women)
• cult of Dionysus comes from the east –> not originally an Olympian –> ancient audience associated him with barbarism
• philosophers had been questioning traditional religion and new scepticism –> some in audience may agree, others want to see worship upheld

Question 7

Roisman

Answer 7

‘Agave’s recognition scene is one of the most painful and harrowing scenes in Greek Tragedy.’

Question 8

Mills

Answer 8

Because Pentheus is manipulated into the mistake of believing he is dealing with an equal, watching the whole experience becomes highly uncomfortable for the audience

Question 9

Hall

Answer 9

Bacchae is a study of Dionysus’ elusive personality and of his devastating power.

Question 10

Morwood

Answer 10

‘Dionysus has profoundly disrupted the city’s social structure.’

Question 11

Stuttard

Answer 11

‘One of his central themes appears to be the importance of worshipping gods. He even makes a god the protagonist.’

Question 12

Wyles

Answer 12

‘The appearance of Pentheus cross-dressed and with bacchic accessories offers a visual representation of Dionysus’ full control over him.’

Question 13

Verrall

Answer 13

Euripides upholds the values of an ordered state, presenting the dangers of religion and foreign cults. Disorder (the women leaving the city) and violent destruction follow from his worship

Question 14

Dodds

Answer 14

Euripides celebrates uninhibited Dionysian passion and pleasure. Pentheus suffers because he is a puritan, suppressing his emotions and feelings.