the gods/religion in the bacchae Flashcards
What did Dionysus do to the people of Thebes?
Struck them with a frenzy, making them leave their homes to live on the mountains
What are Cadmus and Tiresias dressed as?
Dressed as bacchants in fawnskin, ivy wreaths + thrysus in order to honour Dionuysus
Why does Cadmus not scorn the gods?
He is mortal himself
Why does Tiresias say we don’t hold intellectual debates with the gods?
No logic will overthrow traditions as old as time
What does Tiresias say Dionysus will do?
Put an end to suffering with wine that gives sleep to forget troubles of the day
What does Tiresias say Dionysus also is?
He is also a prophet + shares part of Ares’ domain
What does the chorus say will bring an end to troubles?
The gleam of the grape
How does Dionysus appear when captured by the soldier?
He is disguised as a stranger
He calmly + willingly goes with them
What does Dionysus say will happen to Pentheus?
He will pay for his ignorance + irreverence to the god
What does Dionysus say about his hair?
It is sacred + will grow long for the God
What does Dionysus say is happening when he wronged?
When he is wronged, the god is being imprisoned
What is ‘Io!’ ?
A cry to the Gods
How does Dionysus distract Pentheus?
Making a fire blaze up on his mothers tomb, P thought the palace was on fire + left D alone
What are the Maenads doing in the messengers description?
Sleeping, relaxing leaning on a fir tree - intoxicated
How does Dionysus trick + humiliate Pentheus?
Gets him to dress as a woman to disguise as a Bacchant + spy on the practices
Then he calls the Maenads attention to him for them to attack
What does the chorus say about divine power?
Divine power is certain, it corrects mortals who worship arrogance
What did Dionysus say to the women when sat in the tree?
“I bring you the man who makes a mockery of you”
What does Dionysus say will happen to Cadmus + his wife?
He will be turned into a serpent, his wife a snake
Why does Dionysus punish Cadmus?
He’s held accountable for the actions of his family + city bc he is patriarch of both
What does Garvie say about Dionysus?
The most striking paradox is that the god who promises joy will only produce suffering + horror
What does Wyles say about Dionysus’ power?
The house in this scene is transformed from a symbol of royal authority to a symbol of Dionysus’ power
