In The Bacchae, Pentheus, the king of Thebes, simply cannot accept the notion that Dionysus is in fact a divine being, descended from Zeus. While Pentheus never explicitly states the true reasons why he rejects Dionysus the objections he raises to the practices of the Bacchae coupled with Pentheus' fears about their implications shows that Pentheus rejects Dionysus and his Bacchae because they create a new social power dynamics that threatens the masculine, hierarchical, and patriarchal basis of his reign.
Pentheus begins his criticism of Dionysus as soon as he comes on stage. In his second line of dialogue he shows his concern for the "strange mischief" (216) that has been going on in Thebes of late. Of most grave concern is the corruption of the women of Thebes who have been "leaving home" and "dancing in honor of [Dionysus]" while they "serve the lusts of men"(217-223). To further add to this affront this corrupting stranger wears "long yellow curls smelling of perfumes" (235) which make him appear "effeminate"(352). Further adding to the strange newcomer gender bending is the fact that he does not wrestle (455) as men do. Instead on relying the physically dominating power of a man, he wrestles well "when it comes to words"(490) using nontraditional methods of imposing his will and rebuffing the strong and manly Pentheus. What's worse is that Dionysus can justify his effeminate looks and manners by claiming that "my curls belong to god" thus justifying an abhorrent breach of social convention using the divine.
Dionysus' radical actions have serious consequences for Pentheus' power and the foundation upon which it is based. Pentheus claims that Dionysus is "mocking me and Thebes" (502) thus trivializing his glorious kingdom. The gravest insult Dionysus lays against Pentheus is the threat that he will soon "repent that name"(508). Since Pentheus is so proud to be "Pentheus the son of Echion and Agave" to repent his name would be to reject the hereditary basis of his power and the hierarchical status it gives him. The final straw for Pentheus is when he hears his troops have been defeated. It frightens him immensely that "men ran, routed by women"(764). After threatening his hereditary and hierarchical power this effeminate man is now threatening his patriarchal power over women. In the end Pentheus simply cannot accept the fact that the social upsets caused by Dionysus force him to accept "orders from my own slaves"(803) and he cannot believe that Dionysus is a god.
John, I completely agree with you that Pentheus feels that Dionysus "threatens the masculine" basis of his reign. Pentheus is used to being a ruler: the one in ultimate control. But when he encounters this man with long curls like a woman and can't control the women of his city, he gets extremely upset and aims to put everyone back in their places. What reveals that this appearance of masculinity is so important to Pentheus is his fixation on and denial of that which is not masculine. When Dionysus suggests that he dress as a woman Pentheus is completely taken aback and says, "I would die of shame" (828). That Pentheus feels so strongly about appearing masculine and that Dionysus appears to oppose this is one reason it seems that Pentheus denies the existence of Dionysus.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Marlee and Jon that Pentheus feels threatened by Dionysius and his potential power, especially since it is not conventionally masculine. However, I find it interesting that Pentheus' downfall comes when he relucantly accepts the more feminine role. Perhaps this differentiation stems from Pentheus' desperation. As Dionysus remarks, "[f]or sane of mind this man would neer wear a woman's dress; but obsess his soul and he will not refuse" (193). For Pentheus, accepting this role represents a departure from his normal mental state and reflects instablity.
ReplyDeleteThis post also brings up the importance of social status and appearance. Pentheus is obvious in his preference of traditional gender roles, but he is also very focused on maintaining decorum, crying out to his grandfather to "drop that wand" (165) and refusing to wear a dress when presented one. (191). Bacchus, on the other hand, completely refuses to be bound by society's norms. He refuses to take a traditionally masculine appearance and his followers all dance together, "rich and poor alike, even the daughters of Cadmus" (156). In conjunction with his control over what appears to be true, as evinced in the story of his release, (182)this allows Bacchus' followers to transcend their former categorizations.
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