The Bacchae (or Bacchantes) was written near the end of Euripides' long life (c. 480-406 B.C.). He was in voluntary exile from Athens at the time, living at the court of the Macedonian king Archelaus. The play was produced at Athens' 405 City Dionysia after Euripides' death. It won first prize, along with a very different posthumous play, Iphigenia at Aulis. The City Dionysia was, as the name implies, a festival in honor of the god Dionysus or Bacchus; hence the name of his followers, Bacchae or Bacchantes.
While you read The Bacchae there are many themes that may occur to you. Here are some questions you might try to answer or argue from both sides.
Recommended Reading: "Maenadism in the Bacchae," by E. R. Dodds; The Harvard Theological Review (1940).
Euripides is referred to as a misogynist, yet he often portrays strong women, like Medea. In The Bacchae, the women are physically strong, under Dionysus' power. Misogynists are often thought to fear women as much as hate them. Can you argue for and against Euripides as a misogynist on the basis of this tragedy?
What is Euripides' vision of the gods?
In the tragedies of Sophocles and Aeschylus, the gods tend to be more distant. How does Euripides characterize the gods? In classical literature can you think of any similar depictions Euripides might have used as models?
Was Euripides an atheist?
Euripides was referred to as an atheist. How does the portrayal of Dionysus bear this out?
How does the exile show up in "The Bacchae"?
Can you find anything in the tragedy that could be explained as a result of Euripides' dissatisfaction with Athens? This is before Alexander the Great. How might the Macedonians be compared with the Asians? Is Pentheus a returning exile? Who is the barbarian, and who the civilized?
Is "The Bacchae" the best of Euripides?
How would you argue that The Bacchae is the pinnacle of Euripides' career? Could you argue that it's not as good as his others?How is "The Bacchae" a play within a play?
The performance of Greek tragedy a major part of the festival for Dionysus. Dionysus is therefore within the play and without, as the god honored by the performance. Dionysus also forces the maenads to perform and Pentheus to don the garb of an actor in his own drama.
