The aim of this paper is to posit that Soyinka’s adaptation of The Bacchae reveals that the allure to and support favoring Dionysos and the Dionysian religion has far less to do with an attraction towards the God Dionysos and the beliefs and rituals that go along with practicing bacchanalia, and far more to do with the aversion and rejection of the tyrannical King Pentheus, his oppressive ideology, and his inability to rule Thebes.
In the very first line of the scene description on page one, Soyinka gives a very brief but distinct and vivid description that sets the scene for the atmosphere in which the people of Thebes have lived. He writes: “to one side, a road dips steeply into lower background, lined by the bodies of crucified slaves mostly …show more content…
Despite not knowing (or not believing) that the man in front of him could be the God Dionysos) Pentheus immediately attempts to exert his position of power. He does this initially by disingenuously flattering him on his appearance, his hair, and his hands. Pentheus employs this form of manipulation packaged in the form of flattery to create a power imbalance in an attempt to win over Dionysos’ confidence and use that to his advantage to further his own agenda. As their dialogue continues, it seems to be quite civil, quite congenial based in true curiosity. But we soon learn that Pentheus is no match for Dionysos. He is outwitted and pitied for his naiveté. Eventually, as Dionysos seems to become bored by his ignorance, Pentheus becomes angered, exclaiming “Enough! You, bring me the shears!” and despite being told “My hair is holy, My curls belong to God.” (Pentheus shaves of his hair). In the final dialogue of that scene we can see Pentheus reach the pinnacle of his exasperation with his inability to reason with Dionysos. He exerts his domination by commanding that his officers lock him up and then continues by threatening that the Maenads will be “Sold to slavery. They’ll work at the looms or carry water for the troops, day and night-that will silence their drums.” This is important because if further illustrates Pentheus’ appetite for total
In the very first line of the scene description on page one, Soyinka gives a very brief but distinct and vivid description that sets the scene for the atmosphere in which the people of Thebes have lived. He writes: “to one side, a road dips steeply into lower background, lined by the bodies of crucified slaves mostly …show more content…
Despite not knowing (or not believing) that the man in front of him could be the God Dionysos) Pentheus immediately attempts to exert his position of power. He does this initially by disingenuously flattering him on his appearance, his hair, and his hands. Pentheus employs this form of manipulation packaged in the form of flattery to create a power imbalance in an attempt to win over Dionysos’ confidence and use that to his advantage to further his own agenda. As their dialogue continues, it seems to be quite civil, quite congenial based in true curiosity. But we soon learn that Pentheus is no match for Dionysos. He is outwitted and pitied for his naiveté. Eventually, as Dionysos seems to become bored by his ignorance, Pentheus becomes angered, exclaiming “Enough! You, bring me the shears!” and despite being told “My hair is holy, My curls belong to God.” (Pentheus shaves of his hair). In the final dialogue of that scene we can see Pentheus reach the pinnacle of his exasperation with his inability to reason with Dionysos. He exerts his domination by commanding that his officers lock him up and then continues by threatening that the Maenads will be “Sold to slavery. They’ll work at the looms or carry water for the troops, day and night-that will silence their drums.” This is important because if further illustrates Pentheus’ appetite for total