the bacchae timeline events Flashcards
What happens in the prologue of the Bacchae?
Dionysus introduces himself + his reason for coming to Thebes
He is disguised as a human leader to spread Dionysian worship
What happens in the parados?
The chorus sings a hymn to honour Dionysus - they are bacchic women
What happens in the first episode?
Tiresias + Cadmus are dressed as Bacchants + preparing to go to Mount Citheron to worship Dionysus
Pentheus is shocked at the fact that they’re joining
T+C try to change P’s mind but he refuses
P threatens to capture the leader + kill him
What happens in the first choral ode?
The chorus call Pentheus blasphemous + arrogant, they wish for him to be far away from them
What happens in the second episode?
A soldier brings Dionysus to Pentheus
P angrily interrogates the stranger but D remains calm
What happens in the second choral ode?
The chorus find out their leader has been falsely imprisoned + sing a song of tribulation
They appeal to Thebes to worship D + reject P
What happens in the third episode?
The palace becomes shaken by a violent earthquake + Dionysus’ voice is heard from inside
He appears disguised as a human again + P is looking for D after he escaped
D offers to take P to spy on the Bacchants
P accepts
What happens in the third choral ode?
The chorus wants revenge on Pentheus - they say the Gods cant be mocked wo punishment
What happens in the fourth episode?
D leads P back out the palace
P is now dressed as a woman + ready to worship D
He is consumed w delusion + is under D’s power
D mocks P
What happens in the fourth choral ode?
The chorus sings a song of vengeance
They sing to inspire bacchants w rage against P
What happens in the fifth episode?
A messenger arrives from Mt Cithaeron
He describes the journey of P+D to the mountain
They describe how P is captured by the women + his death
What happens in the fifth choral ode?
The chorus sings a song of triumph at P’s death
What happens in the exodus?
Mad Agave carries the head of her son + the chorus speaks to her
They previously saw her as an enemy but now pity her
Cadmus comes from the mountain w pieces of Pentheus’ body
He asks Agave to recover from her madness
They express grief
Dionysus announces their punishment then leaves
