Mythology Quiz (Nov 19)

two different forms Dionysos assumes over play

1. youthful effeminate Lydian stranger

2. bull

What has Dionysos been doing prior to his arrival in Thebes

• traveling across asia

• founding his rites in cities along the way

Who are the chorus in the play?

• Asian women

• devotees of Dionysos

• 
  

Where are the chorus from

originally Asia

How does the chorus behave?

they dance ecstatically

Where are the choruses locations?

• mountain slopes of Cithaeron

• in pine glades

• by rivers

• in the hills of Phrygia and Lydia

What is happening in Thebes (beginning of play)

Theban women have abandoned their homes and are dancing in a frenzy on Cithaeron

What story does Dionysos find offensive?

that Semele lied about Zeus and was struck by lighting. Zeus didn’t father Dionysos

How does Teiresias and Cadmus react to Dionysos’ coming?

They welcome him and dance

Family relationship between Dionysos and Pentheus?

cousins, their mothers were sisters

How does Dionysos keep Pentheus’ agents from tying him up?

he lets himself be taken, then the chains fall off and the doors open. pentheus ties up a bull in the stable thinking its the god

What does the Herdsman see on the mountain?

• women led by Agave, Inc, and Autonoe tearing apart cattle with bare hands, milk, honey, and wine flowing from ground

• villagers attack

• women repel them

How does Dionysos tempt Pentheus to go on the mountain?

offers to let pentheus spy on the maenads

What disguise is Pentheus to use?

linen robe

long wig

snood

fawnskin

thyrsus

What happens to Pentheus on the mountain?

• climbs pine to watch

• Dionysos bends tree down and releases

• the women pull pentheus down and tear him apart

• agave carries head home, thinking it’s a lion

• Dionysos sentences family to exile