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December 1
Read the Entire Play Aloud
What is Dionysus’ agenda in coming to
Thebes?
Why are women the first to become bacchanals?
What dualities are operating in this play?
What do these dualities accomplish? What do they symbolize?
Who is the most tragic character in the work?
Where is the turning point in this work?
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December 5 Read the
Entire Play (again)
What is the thesis of this work?
Why does Pentheus die? Why must he die?
Which virtues and vices are demonstrated by
Pentheus, Dionysus, Agave, Tiresias?
What lesson about the role of the gods in the
lives of mortals is being taught by this play?
Whose character is most tragic?
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December 8
Bring both The Bacchae & The Aeneid to class:
Consider the following dualities, present in both works:
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Masculine vs. Feminine
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Know
Thyself vs. Duty to the gods
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Reason vs. Passion
How are the two voices/forces
present in these works? How do they conflict with each other? How do
they conflict with themselves? How are the conflicts resolved? What
lessons are we to learn? How do these two forces define the
hero's journey? How do they define "tragedy"?
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