🍇Dionysus seeks revenge for his mother's death
👑Pentheus, the King of Thebes, wants to capture Dionysus and his followers
🔥Dionysus possesses the women of Thebes, driving them into a frenzy
🦁Pentheus disguises himself as a woman to spy on the Bacchae
😢The play ends tragically with the death of Pentheus and the punishment of Dionysus's own family
What is the main plot of The Bacchae?
—The main plot of The Bacchae revolves around Dionysus seeking revenge for his mother's death by possessing the women of Thebes and driving them into a frenzy.
Who is Pentheus in The Bacchae?
—Pentheus is the King of Thebes, who wants to capture Dionysus and his followers. He disguises himself as a woman to spy on the Bacchae.
What happens to the women of Thebes in The Bacchae?
—The women of Thebes are possessed by Dionysus and driven into a frenzy. They perform rituals associated with the cult of Dionysus.
How does The Bacchae end?
—The Bacchae ends tragically with the death of Pentheus, who is mistaken for a wild lion by his own mother, and the punishment of Dionysus's own family.
What is the overall theme of The Bacchae?
—The overall theme of The Bacchae is the destructive power of revenge and the consequences of denying the divine.
00:04[Music]
00:09The Bacchae begins with the introduction of Dionysus, who appears in the guise of a charismatic young mortal seeking revenge for his mother's death.
00:15Dionysus tells the story of his mother, Semele, who was killed by Zeus's wife, Hera, out of jealousy.
00:21In the rising action, Pentheus, the King of Thebes, plans to capture Dionysus and the possessed women of Thebes.
01:00Dionysus breaks out of prison and raises the palace with a tremendous earthquake, revealing his divine power.
01:32A herdsman delivers astonishing news that the attempt to capture the Bacchae has failed.
02:16In the climax of the play, the Bacchae, led by Agave, murder Pentheus, mistaking him for a wild lion.
02:29The play ends with the punishment of Dionysus's family and their banishment.
