the bacchae plot

Question 1

What does Dionysus often mean? Why might this be?

Answer 1

Twice born
Semele was killed by Zeus’ lightning + he took her unborn son, Dionysus + sewed him into his thigh until he was born again

Question 2

Where was Dionysus born + where did he go as a foreigner?

Answer 2

Born in Thebes - went to Greece

Question 3

What is Dionysus the God of? What is his other name?

Answer 3

Wine, fertility + festival
Bacchus

Question 4

How is Dionysus related to Pentheus + Cadmus?

Answer 4

Cousin of Pentheus
Grandson of Cadmus

Question 5

How does Dionysus have an ambiguous nature?

Answer 5

Divine/human
Greek/foreign
Male/female

Question 6

How is Dionysus more directly ambiguous?

Answer 6

God in human form
Born in Thebes but wears exotic Persian clothes
Male but his beauty is effeminate
Punishes but has a mask of a smile

Question 7

What is a thrysis?

Answer 7

The main symbol of Dionysian worship: ivy leaves pressed into the end of a fennel staff
Not sharp

Question 8

What did Semele’s sisters do?

Answer 8

Declared that Dionysus wasn’t a God + insulted him

Question 9

What does Dionysus announce he did to the people of Thebes?

Answer 9

Dressed them in fawn skins + gave them a thrysus

Question 10

What did Dionysus drive the women to?

Answer 10

Drove them into a frenzy, making them leave their homes + live on the mountain

Question 11

Who is king of Thebes?

Answer 11

Pentheus

Question 12

Why did Pentheus anger Dionysus?

Answer 12

Leaving him out of worship + not mentioning him in prayers

Question 13

What does maenad mean?

Answer 13

Mad woman

Question 14

Who does the chorus usually consist of?

Answer 14

Inhabitants of the location of the play

Question 15

What does the chorus in the Bacchae consist of ?

Answer 15

Bacchic women dancing estatically

Question 16

What is the meaning of the maenads chanting “on bacchants”?

Answer 16

Repeated cries from part of Dionysian ritual, just as repetition does in the prayer of most cultures

Question 17

What does the chorus compare Dionysus to? Why is this significant?

Answer 17

With the horns of a bull
First time Dionysus is associated with an animal

Question 18

What does the ref to garlands of snake mean?

Answer 18

The maenads entwine snakes in their hair

Question 19

What is the chorus trying to do?

Answer 19

Convince everyone to join their bacchic rituals

Question 20

What is “far from the looms”?

Answer 20

Telling women to leave their natural duty of weaving

Question 21

Who are frenzied satyrs?

Answer 21

Traditional companions of Dionysus linked to freedom, wine + music

Question 22

What do the maenads do to worship?

Answer 22

Wear fawn skin, cloak + eat raw meat

Question 23

What is Tiresias’ character?

Answer 23

Blind, wise prophet
His blindness is related to his ability to see beyond mortal knowledge
But his portrayal in this play is diff bc he wears Bacchic clothing + doesn’t make as much sense

Question 24

Why is the first scene with Tiresias + Cadmus comical?

Answer 24

They are dressed as bacchants preparing to take part in the dance + talking about how they feel young again - they are the only men deciding to take part in the worship

Question 25

What does Tiresias say about worshipping the Gods?

Answer 25

No logic can overthrow traditions about worshipping the gods - Dionysus wants ppl to worship him

Question 26

Why is pentheus angry when talking to C+T?

Answer 26

The women have left the city to worship a new god, led by a foreign stranger

Question 27

How is Dionysus appearing to the people of Thebes? Why?

Answer 27

As a mortal incase they are attacked + then he can use his powers

Question 28

What does Pentheus say he will do if he catches Dionysus?

Answer 28

Cut his head from his body

Question 29

What is the significance of Pentheus turning against Tiresias?

Answer 29

Kings often turn against Tiresias when he tells them smth they dont want to hear - they soon regret it

Question 30

What is the significance of the chorus shouting ‘blasphemy’ at Pentheus?

Answer 30

The chorus usually tries to calm conflict
Here they refer to P as a stranger - aggression voiced by women is different too

Question 31

What quality does Tiresias say Dionysus also posses?

Answer 31

He is also a prophet + has military influence

Question 32

What does Pentheus call Tiresias for his prophecies?

Answer 32

Calls him mad

Question 33

What does Pentheus command T + C to do?

Answer 33

Arrest down the ‘stranger’ + stone him

Question 34

What does Tiresias call Pentheus + what does this tell us?

Answer 34

Calls him a ‘poor wretch’ for his stupidity + suggests praying to Dionysus on Pentheus’ behalf

Question 35

What do the women do in the first choral ode? How is this different to others?

Answer 35

Other choral odes remain neutral but the chorus condemns Pentheus’ stupidity + arrogance

Question 36

Who does Pentheus believe the bacchants are also worshipping?

Answer 36

Aphrodite

Question 37

How does Dionysus behave when being captured by the soldier?

Answer 37

He remains calm and holds out his hands willingly

Question 38

What is an agon?

Answer 38

Dialogue of confrontation

Question 39

What is said about Dionysus’ ‘real’ appearance?

Answer 39

He can appear in many forms

Question 40

What does Pentheus threat to Dionysus?

Answer 40

You will pay the penalty

Question 41

What does Dionysus warn Pentheus?

Answer 41

You will pay

Question 42

How does Dionysus mock Pentheus?

Answer 42

Pretends to show fear but he is mocking the man who believes he has power over a God