Story of Pentheus explained

What happens

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Themes in this chapter

• Divine Power and Human Folly

  Pentheus's refusal to honor Bacchus exemplifies human arrogance against divine authority, leading to his prophesied destruction.

• Violence and Revenge

  The prophecy foretells Pentheus being torn apart, a violent punishment for his impiety and mockery of the god.

Characters to notice

• Pentheus

  The rash King of Thebes who denies Bacchus's divinity and forbids worship of the new god.

• Bacchus

  The young god whose rites Pentheus profanes; he is sought but not found by Pentheus's servants.

• Acrisius

  Mentioned by Pentheus as one who repelled Bacchus's power from the Grecian walls.

Key passages

• “This sad event gave blind Tiresias fame, Through Greece establish’d in a prophet’s name.”

  The tragic incident made the blind seer Tiresias renowned throughout Greece as a true prophet.

  Tiresias's reputation is solidified by the fulfillment of his prophecy about Pentheus.

• “Thy impious carcass, into pieces torn, Shall strew the woods, and hang on every thorn.”

  Your unholy body will be ripped apart and scattered across the forest, impaled on thorns.

  Tiresias's grim prophecy of Pentheus's fate at the hands of the Maenads.

• “But now a beardless victor sacks the town, Whom nor the prancing steed, nor ponderous shield, Nor the hack’d helmet, nor the dusty field, But the soft joys of luxury and ease, The purple vests, and flowery garlands, please.”

  Now a youthful conqueror, who delights in luxury and soft garments rather than horses, shields, or battle, is taking over the city.

  Pentheus contemptuously describes Bacchus as an effeminate invader unworthy of martial respect.