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Scenes
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Scenes
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The Bacchae has 17 scenes.
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Scenes17 items
Prologue: Dionysus Arrives in Thebes
Dionysus opens the play by explaining who he is and why he has come to Thebes. He is the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele, and he has traveled from Asia to establish his worship…
Parodos: The Chorus of Bacchae Enters
The chorus of Asian women who have followed Dionysus from the East enters and sings a hymn celebrating his birth, his rites, and the joy of his worship.
First Episode: Tiresias and Cadmus Prepare for the Rites
The blind prophet Tiresias and Cadmus, the elderly founder of Thebes and grandfather of both Dionysus and Pentheus, meet outside the palace.
First Episode: Pentheus Confronts the Bacchants
Pentheus has already ordered soldiers to round up the Bacchic women in Thebes. He is enraged by reports of women abandoning their homes for the mountain, drinking wine, and sleepi…
First Stasimon: Chorus Hymns Dionysus
After Pentheus storms off to imprison the stranger, the chorus sings a stasimon condemning Pentheus and praising Dionysus.
Second Episode: The Stranger is Brought Before Pentheus
Pentheus finally comes face to face with the mysterious stranger who has been spreading Dionysus's cult through Thebes.
Second Episode: The Earthquake and the Escape
While Pentheus believes the stranger is safely locked away, a supernatural earthquake shakes the palace and the stranger walks free.
Second Stasimon: Chorus Calls for Justice
The Chorus sings in response to the earthquake and the stranger's escape. They celebrate Dionysus and call on divine justice to punish those who resist the god.
Third Episode: The Messenger Reports the Maenads on the Mountain
A herdsman arrives and gives Pentheus a detailed account of what the Bacchants are doing on Mount Cithaeron. The report is full of contradictions: the women are peaceful and mirac…
Third Stasimon: Chorus Celebrates Dionysus
The Chorus sings a hymn to Dionysus that covers his birth, his gifts to humanity, and his power over nature. The ode is more celebratory than the previous one and less focused on…
Fourth Episode: Dionysus Persuades Pentheus to Dress as a Maenad
Dionysus convinces Pentheus to disguise himself as a female worshipper so he can spy on the maenads on Mount Cithaeron.
Fourth Stasimon: Chorus Anticipates the Doom of Pentheus
The chorus sings in anticipation of Pentheus's destruction. They call on Justice and on Dionysus to act, and they celebrate the idea that the god's enemies will be brought down.
Fifth Episode: The Second Messenger Reports the Death of Pentheus
A messenger arrives from Mount Cithaeron and describes how Pentheus was torn apart by the maenads, led by his own mother Agave.
Fifth Stasimon: Chorus Rejoices at the Punishment
The chorus responds to the messenger's report by celebrating. They praise Dionysus and declare that justice has been done.
Exodos: Agave Returns with the Head of Pentheus
Agave enters carrying what she believes is the head of a lion she hunted. She is proud and exhilarated.
Exodos: Cadmus Restores Agave to Her Senses
Agave returns from the mountains still holding what she believes is a lion's head, proud of her hunting kill. Her father Cadmus has already seen the truth.
Exodos: Dionysus Pronounces Judgment and Epilogue
Dionysus appears, now in his divine form, and delivers his verdict on the house of Cadmus. He sentences Agave and her sisters to exile.
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