The Bacchae

Dionysius pauses, then switches tactics. He asks Pentheus if he would like to see the Bacchants, and Pentheus enthusiastically assents. Though Pentheus resists the idea, Dionysus convinces him to disguise himself, noting that observing the women undisguised would be dangerous. Dionysus offers to prepare Pentheus’ costume and guide him secretly to Cithaeron. As they enter the palace, Dionysus tells the Chorus that the trap has been set to lure Pentheus into humiliation and death. He will learn that Dionysus is Zeus’s son by being “slaughtered at his mother’s hands” (150). Asking “What is wisdom,” the Chorus sings about the value of adhering to tradition and the limits of human endeavors (151, italics in original).

Dionysus emerges from the palace with Pentheus, who is now dressed as a Bacchant. Pentheus claims to see two suns and two Thebeses, which Dionysus attributes to the god being with them so that Pentheus could “see what you should see” (152). Anxious to look authentic, Pentheus fusses his over dress, which Dionysus sets right. He is pleased that Pentheus has “undergone a change of mind” and is now of “sound mind” (152-3). He promises to bring Pentheus safely to the Bacchants, but that his mother will return him to Thebes (153).