Dionysus was the god of wine, the son of Zeus and Semele, and the rescuer of Ariadne after she had been abandoned by Theseus. Dionysus also rescued his mother from the Underworld, after Zeus showed her his true nature as storm god and consumed her in lightning. It was Dionysus who granted Midas the power to turn whatever he touched into gold, then was kind enough to take the power back when it proved inconvenient.
In the story of Bacchae Dionysus wants everyone in the Greek city of Thebes to recognize him as god. He rightfully claims that he is the son of Zeua and Semele, who is the daughter of Cadmus, the founder and former ruler of Thebes. However Cadmus gave the rule of Thebes to his grandson Pentheus whose mother is Agave, Cadmus's daughter.
Dionysus grants delight of wine without pain to the rich and poor alike. All he wants is for the people of Thebes to recognize him as god. Pentheus refuses to do so believing that Dionysus is a hoax attempting to start a revolution.
The women go mad and are driven into the hills by Bacchus.
In the end Agave, driven by Bacchus, or Dionysus kills Pentheus after he is convinced by Dionysus to dress as a woman in attempt to spy on the women in the hills.
TRAGEDY: Agave and Cadmus are exiled from Thebes.
IRONY
When Pentheus is killed his body is spread all over the place. I was under the impression that every man is entitled to a proper burial after reading Antigone.
"no one should ever be above the law, neither in though nor action"(36), but it's clear here that Dionysus is going above the law. Mabey he is above the law because hes mortal.
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