Modern Scholarship - the Bacchae! Flashcards
“The Bacchae is one of Euripides’ most disturbing plays.”
Stuttard.
What does Stuttard say about the Bacchae’s level of disturbing?
“The Bacchae is one of Euripides’ most disturbing plays.”
“In the real city of Thebes, the site of Semele’s incineration became increasingly venerated. It forms part of the setting of the Bacchae, and in historical times it was considered so sacred that in second century AD the traveller Pausanias records that no one was allowed to enter ‘Semele’s house’.”
Stuttard.
What does Stuttard say about the real tomb of Semele?
“In the real city of Thebes, the site of Semele’s incineration became increasingly venerated. It forms part of the setting of the Bacchae, and in historical times it was considered so sacred that in second century AD, the traveller Pausanias records that non was allowed to enter ‘Semele’s house’.”
“If we feel that Dionysus’ treatment of suffering humanity is anything but a sport, we should remember that he may well be wearing a smiling mask.”
Morwood.
What does Morwood say about Dionysus’ character and how this may well be reflected in his mask?
“If we feel that Dionysus’ treatment of suffering humanity is anything but a sport, we should remember that he may well be wearing a smiling mask.”
“One actor played Dionysus and Tiresias, another Pentheus and Agave, the third Cadmus and the two messengers; the continuity of actors, who will not have been able to disguise their voices altogether, must have affected the impact of the performances.”
Edith Hall.
What does Edith Hall say about the different actors? We can use it in an argument of a modern audience having a different experience to an ancient one!
“One actor played Dionysus and Tiresias, another Pentheus and Agave, the third Cadmus and the two messengers; the continuity of actors, who will not have been able to disguise their voices altogether, must have affected the impact of the performances.
“The house is transformed by this scene from a symbol of royal authority to a symbol of Dionysus’ power.”
Rosie Wyles.
What does Rosie Wyles say about the earthquake and fallen palace?
“The house is transformed by this scene from a symbol of royal authority to a symbole of Dionysus’ power.”
“The appearance of Pentheus cross-dressed and with bacchic accessories offers a visual representation of Dionysus’ full control over him.”
Rosie Wyles.
What does Rosie Wyles about Pentheus being under Dionysus’ control?
“The appearance of Pentheus cross-dressed and with bacchic accessories offers a visual representation of Dionysus’ full control over him.”
“Their ecstatic joy is chilling, while heightening the pathos for the circumstances of Pentheus’ destruction.”
Rosie Wyles.
What does Rosie Wyles say about the Chorus’ reaction to Pentheus’ death?
“Their ecstatic joy is chilling, while heightening the pathos for the circumstances of Pentheus’ destruction.”
“The most striking paradox (of the play) is that the god who throughout the play promises joy will at the end produce only suffering and horror.”
Garvie
What does Garvie say about the ‘paradox (of the play)’?
“The most striking paradox (of the play) is that the god who throughout the play promises joy will at the end produce only suffering and horror.”
“Agave’s recognition scene is one of the most painful and harrowing scenes in Greek tragedy. No parent can watch it and not sympathise.”
Hannah Roisman.
What does Roisman say about Agave’s recognition?
“Agave’s recognition scene is one of the most painful and harrowing scenes in Greek tragedy. No parent can watch it and not sympathise.”
“Bacchae was considered so violent that it was seldom performed before the 1960s.”
Sophie Mills.
What does Sophie Mills have to say about the modern perception of the Bacchae?
“Bacchae was considered so violent that it was seldom performed before the 1960s.”
