In The Bacchae by Euripides, Pentheus is a complex character. Throughout the play Pentheus seems to be fixated upon Dionysus’ hair. Through examining how Penthius treats Dionysus, in particular Pentheus’s disdain for Dionysus’ hair, it reveals that Pentheus values appearing manly and strong while he scorns appearing womanly (which he equates with weakness). Ultimately, this is important because Pentheus’ value of appearing strong helps to explain his denial of Dionysus. Pentheus wishes to appear as strong and in power so he continues to deny the existence of a more powerful god.
Pentheus’ fixation on Dionysus’ hair helps to reveal his value of appearing manly which is an underlying motivation for Pentheus’ denial of Dionysus as a god. The very first time Pentheus speaks, he references Dionysus’ hair. He says, “I am told told that a foreigner has come to Thebes from Lydia, one of those charlatan magicians, with long yellow curls smelling of perfumes” (235). These lines are full of anger and disdain. Pentheus is angry about Dionysus’ arrival and pointedly chooses to talk about his hair (of all things). Pentheus sees Dionysus’ curls as something unnatural. Pentheus doesn’t like that his curls smell good and are long. These characteristics of Dionysus’ hair are those associated most often with women’s hair. This is the first time we see Pentheus show disdain towards Dionysus because of his womanly hair. When Pentheus first sets eyes on Dionysus he remarks, “So, you are attractive, stranger, at least to women—which explains, I think, your presence here in Thebes. Your curls are long. You do not wrestle, I take it” (453-454). Pentheus is once again fixated on Dionysus’ appearance. It is the first thing he comments upon when they meet. He even comments that he must not wrestle; he sees the curls and immediately assumes that Dionysus does not fight—the curls are an inhibition to the sport. This helps us to realize that Pentheus equates a manly appearance to to strength while he equates a womanly appearance with weakness. Finally, Pentheus shows his ultimate disdain for Dionysus’ hair when he punishes the god saying, “I shall cut off your girlish curls” (492). Pentheus reveals directly that he sees Dionysus’ hair as womanly. Pentheus cannot stand this weak, womanly appearance on a man. So he cuts the curls off. This is the ultimate clue we need to see how importantly Pentheus’ treats appearance and to understand his absolute disdain for a man who appears weak.
Ultimately, it is this disdain for appearing weak that is an underlying motivation for Pentheus’ denial of Dionysus. Pentheus scorns the long, yellow curls of Dionysus and through this we come to understand his care about appearance and deep contempt for appearing womanly. Pentheus sees appearing womanly as weak—he wants to appear manly and strong. This becomes a reason that Pentheus then denies the existence of Dionysus as he wishes to appear strong and be the one in control rather than submit to this new god.
An interesting question, given the above discussion, is why Pentheus cuts the curls off a rival. If he wished to present his competitor in a negative light, it would be simpler to parade him, with his womanish appearance, around the town. Instead, Pentheus cuts off the curls. A possible reason could be that he wishes to challenge the authority of Dionysus directly. However, challenging such a weak-looking man would make him look fearful to the populace, and so he feels that he must make Dionysus seem more formidable to increase his own status when he defeats him.
ReplyDelete