Abstract
The paper discusses the conflict in the poem, "The Bacchae of Euripides", by Euripides and explains that the conflict is constructed around the opposition between Pentheus and Dionysus which is, in fact, a tool of characterization. The paper relates that the conflict between the two characters arises because both of them want to seize power and to have authority over each other and Thebes.

From the Paper
"Pentheus thinks he has caught the stranger and orders the prisoner to be bound and tortured only to find out that it is in fact impossible thanks to the god's powers that the king had refused to acknowledge. Consequently, Dionysus turns into a bull when the king's men try to chain him, and then when the king himself plunges a knife into his prisoner, the latter turns into a shadow and remains unharmed. Nevertheless, Dionysus tries to make Pentheus change his ways but the king cannot be convinced. The women who served Dionysus lived on a mountain where they feasted, danced and sang. When they saw the messenger - disguised as a cowherd - that the king had sent to spy on them, they chase and try to kill him. Although he escapes, his cattle do not, and so, Pentheus' mother who was disguised and had joined the herd is captured by the mad women of Dionysus."

Tags:Pentheus, Dionysus, Bacchae

Abstract
This essay evaluates the authenticity of Euripides, Bacchae as a typical Greek tragedy. Bacchae's structural features are compared to Aristotle's definition of an archetypal tragedy. Also, Bacchae's story plot is analyzed and compared to other authentic Greek Tragedies such as Oedipus Rex and Antigone. Besides analyzing the structure, this essay also correlates the Greek cultural background with the context of Bacchae.

From the Paper
"Bacchae, written by Euripides in 5th century, is a Greek tragedy illustrating intricate relationship between human offense and divine revenge. Both shocking and compassion provoking, the play has remained popular for countless years. Having read many Greek plays over the years, I was fascinated by the similarities between Bacchae and other tragedies such as Oedipus, Antigone, and Electra. Striking structural uniformity of these plays made me investigate characteristics of a typical Greek tragedy, and I discovered that Bacchae displays various aspects of classical tragedy. I concluded that Bacchae is an archetypal Greek tragedy because it exhibits a typical story plot, a tragic hero with pitiful downfall, and a moral theme."

Tags:antigone, oedipus, rex, greek, tragedy, aristotle, electra, dionysus

Abstract
This paper offers a comparative, analytical review of Thomas Mann's 1912 "Death in Venice." The paper asserts that Mann's work reflects many plot and characterization influences that are not present in the works of other writers at the time, and that early Greek writers were largely responsible for these influences - particular the playwright Euripides and his most famous Greek tragedy, "The Bacchae." The paper explains that the play was not performed in public until after Euripides' death. By examining the underlying themes of both works, the paper uncovers common elements; for example, the protagonist of both stories eventually degenerates into oblivion because he fails to acknowledge the element represented by Dionysus in their lives. The paper concludes that Thomas Mann continually uses imagery that conjures up the ancient Greek tales and that of Dionysus, with the intent of providing contrast to the conservative world of the German character.

From the Paper
"Like Dionysus, the King is unable to control the downward spiral that rips Thebes after the return of Dionysus. The frenzied worshippers represent an uncontrollable element in the story that affects the protagonist and antagonist of the story in a negative manner. The frenzied worshipers were originally created by Dionysus, but in the end, they become the path to destruction for both cultures. This fear of cultural destruction of German society by the introduction of new ideas is symbolized by the use of imagery from Dionysus in Death in Venice. The boy in Death in Venice resembles the frenzied dancers in the Bacchae. Like the boy, at first they are harmless, and a source of fascination. Soon they work their way into the heart of the city, eventually leading to a downward spiral. There are many parallels to this pattern and the destructive sequence that leads to the final demise of Aschenbach."

Tags:Thebes, Dionysus, Aschenbach, Pentheus

Abstract
In this article, the writer provides an analysis of the development of the character of Dionysus over the course of Euripides' tragic drama, 'The Bacchae'. Dionysus' development is linked to the moral of the play.

From the Paper
"The Bacchae cannot fully be understood nor can its protagonist Dionysus without understanding the times in which Euripides wrote his tragedy. According to Bates the era was characterized by Loss of faith in the gods involving a similar loss of faith in the divine in man this was followed by a gross materialism which found its greatest happiness in enjoyment. At the start of the play Dionysus appears in disguise. He is a youth who seems innocent and Pentheus willingly follows his lead not ..."

Tags:gods, Euripedes, vengeance, family, Thebes, Pentheus, Dionysus

Abstract
This paper describes how the tragedies "Antigone" and "Bacchae" show the high level of human relations and developed system of social and moral values in Ancient Greece. The author cites examples from within the texts to support this claim. The death of Antigone and the death of Pentheus are compared as symbolic in representing the triumph of the gods' laws (morality and ethics) over the vices and evils of humans.

From the Paper
"In the tragedy of Sophocles Antigone, another opposite case is presented as Antigone the niece of the king Creon demonstrates the actions which are worth admiration and respect. She neglects the order of the new king and buries her brother according to Greek customs. This deed is very symbolic as she demonstrates respect to her brother and to the will of gods. Antigone is arrested by the guardians of the king Creon and is sentenced to death in jail. But she is confident in her innocence and is faithful to her ideals:"

"I'll come to recognize that I've done wrong.
But if these people here are being unjust
may they endure no greater punishment
than the injustices they're doing to me."

Tags:Sophocles, Euripides, Greek, tragedy

Abstract
The paper discusses the death of Pentheus in Euripides' play, "The Bacchae" and how it is justified due to his arrogance and self-righteousness. The paper shows how Pentheus' destruction serves as a warning against all who might find themselves beginning to think they control much, if anything at all.

From the Paper
"In Euripides' play, The Bacchae, we learn the importance of remembering our humanity. In the Greek world, self-righteousness is something that is rarely tolerated and arrogance is never tolerated at all. When man comes up against a god and believes that he knows more and is better, there will be a price to pay. Pentheus' destruction is necessary for several reasons. It first must be demonstrated that man has no power over the gods. He is close-minded to any new ideas and this demonstrates his arrogance. In addition, he does not always act like a king in that he does not see mankind as he really is. His death is justified because he must be an example to all men that such arrogance is destructive. Dionysus has a lesson to teach and Pentheus is just the man he needs to do it."

Tags:Dionysus, Pentheus, ego, Greeks

Abstract
The paper explains how Dionysus and Pentheus are alike in that they share the same drive for power, but Pentheus' idea of governing includes strict control while Dionysus wishes to establish a more free reign. The paper describes why the audience loses sympathy for Pentheus when he acts so foolishly that he walks right into his own deathtrap. The paper highlights how through this play, Euripides is making an appeal for change. The paper also points out how an element of tragedy in the play is withheld until Pentheus' death.

From the Paper
"Dionysus and Pentheus are alike in that they share the same drive for power and each one wants to establish rule in Thebes. This is significant to the plot of the play because of the kinds of authority each man would exhibit. Pentheus' idea of governing includes strict control while Dionysus wishes to establish a more free reign, allowing people to be more free and enjoy life a little bit more. Pentheus is a symbol of law and order while he sees Dionysus as a symbol of recklessness. This conflict is also significant because Pentheus is a hypocrite when it comes to behaving as if he wants to make others behave. He does not want others to delight in pleasures yet he does exactly that. The two are similar in that they both want control - they simply go about reaching this goal in different ways. That these two characters can end up so fundamentally different drives the play."

Tags:Dionysus, Pentheus, plot, tragedy

Abstract
Euripides's play, "Bacchae", and Sophocles's play, "Oedipus Rex", highlight several common themes that these two Greek tragedies share. Most notably, both authors contend that it is arrogant impiety for a mortal man to feel that he is in control of his destiny when it is the gods who control man's lives. This paper explores how both stories examine the conflicts that ensue between mortal man's desire to exercise free will and the pre-ordained destinies that the gods have prescribed for humans.

From the Paper
"In developing these themes, both Greek authors present a similar understanding of the psychological makeup of young, authoritarian, Greek male leaders. Both Oedipus and Pentheus, while attempting to follow a rational, logical nature, are both born of woman, and driven by irrational, covetous feelings for recognition, (i.e. sight) and unnatural passion. Oedipus violates societal laws by sleeping with his mother, and Pentheus dresses up as a woman in order to witness the drunken orgy. In Dionysus words describing Pentheus, "Thou art mad to see that which thou shouldst not see, And covetous of that thou shouldst not covet". (p. 35) And Oedipus boldly, but falsely proclaims, "Neither am I, by nature, covetous I am not yet so blinded as to wish for honour, other than is joined with gain". (p. 22)"

Tags:Dionysus, Pentheus

Abstract
This paper discusses the question 'Which of the female characters in the Medea, Hippolytus, Electra, and The Bacchae strikes you as the most outstanding creation, and why?' The paper answers this question by saying that each of the female main characters in Hippolytus, Electra, the Bacchae, and the Medea is flawed in some major way. The women in certain instances are not free agents and therefore are acting as a consequence of some external force, or their behavior is more deviant than is the norm and desire for revenge becomes an end in itself. This paper first discusses whose behavior is impotent or neurotic or, as in the case of Agave, is not under her control.

Tags:women, strong, plays

Abstract
Euripides teaches us that, although reason must be our guide, the primitive things in the universe are not reasonable. There exist in the universe forces that we can neither understand nor control - only participate in, This paper examine the validity of this quotation with respect to the "Medea", "Hippolytus", "Electra", and "The Bacchae". Certain points about Euripides' plays are striking in terms of the circumstances in which the characters find themselves as well as the forces acting upon them. They are driven by urges that are not their own. Forces are acting upon them that predestine behavior. Yet, somehow the characters are responsible for their actions.

Tags:gods, forces, humans