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THE BACCHAE. Opsis look Lexis word Ethos character Melos sound Mythos story Dianoia meaning/theme. Aristotelian theatre. EURIPIDES 485-406 Wrote 95 plays, of which 19 survive Less popular—won the Festival only 4 times The Bacchae performed posthumously
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Opsislook Lexis word Ethos character Melos sound Mythos story Dianoiameaning/theme Aristotelian theatre
EURIPIDES • 485-406 • Wrote 95 plays, of which 19 survive • Less popular—won the Festival only 4 times • The Bacchae performed posthumously • Rumors about late life • Exiled to Salamis • Wrote last plays in cave • Killed by dogs in Macedonia
INNOVATIONS Ekkyklema—wheeled platform to change scenes More emphasis on women, foreigners and slaves—topics excluded in the Aristotelian model of tragedy Sensational events, stories Gained popularity after his death, in 4th century Influence on New Comedy
Said to originate in Asia Minor (but that’s unlikely) Grew wildly in late 5th century Popular among women, slaves, and foreigners Secret rites—like Eleusinian mysteries, which celebrated Demeter Cult of Dionysos
Seasonal Celebrations, one at the Winter Solstice, one at the Vernal Equinox • Fertility festivals, observing death and rebirth • Wine as sacrament • Embodiment of the living god’s body • Literally taking the god into the body • Officiants were called Maenads, women in a trance-like state induced by wine Cult Practices
Thyrsus Wand • Symbol of Initiation • Staff of giant fennel with a pine cone on top • Sparagmos • Omophagia
Thebes founded by CADMUS, Phoenecian prince • Brought alphabet to Greeks • Killed dragon and sowed the teeth; teeth became soldiers; soldiers killed each other until the last few helped him build the city • His daughter, Semele, loved by Zeus • Hera, jealous, tricks her into insisting he come in his natural form • In the ensuing incineration, Dionysos gets inserted into Zeus’ thigh Dionysos
Growing things Grape vine Wine Intoxication Flowing things (blood) Theatre Visions, hallucinations, illusions Boundaries and Transformations Powers