Analysis Of Euripides The Bacchae

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The Bacchae, written by Euripides in 406 B.C. We know it was first performed in either 409 or 408 B.C, after Euripides' death. The time and place is Ancient Greece, in the city of Thebes.
The mood is tense, as Dionysus is returning home to repair his status of a god and regain his glory by punishing the family of Cadmus. Pentheus, the current king of Thebes, has forbade worship of Dionysus, and is doing everything he can to prevent others from doing so. This directly counteracts our protagonist's goal. The introduction entails Dionysus telling the tale of his birth and loss of his mother and his revenge against those who wronged his family.

The story starts with Cadmus and Tiresias, discussing the worship of Dionysus. …show more content…
Dionysus allows himself to be arrested, only because it allows him to mess with Pentheus easier. A bull, a shadow, and a earthquake are all things Dionysus uses to his advantage.
The rising action finishes when a cow herder reports that Dionysus' followers, including Agave, Pentheus' mother, chased him and killed a herd of cattle. The followers are drinking milk, honey, and wine which apparently ran freely from the …show more content…
Agave suffers the most of the play, but unlike Cadmus and his family, at least she gets to live as a human. Cadmus is the most logical and calm of the play, which does nothing to sway Dionysus to lessen his punishment.
Minor roles include the soldiers, messengers, attendants, and Dionysus' chorus. The chorus are loyal followers of Dionysus.
The theme of the play is self-control and logic. If Pentheus had some, he might have allowed worship of Dionysus, and would probably have survived.

Not a play to my tastes by any stretch of the word, but Dionysus' was a interesting character. His idea of revenge fits perfectly in with what one would expect from the god of ritual madness. Pentheus was a stubborn soul of a man, his arrogance drove him to his death. The tragedy aspect of the play holds true. Only one person got what they wanted, or even remained the same. I imagine the play was of great shock when it was first performed.

One line that stuck with me.
"He’s the one you put in chains when you treat me unjustly." (lines
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