This is a relatively short section of the play, chronicling Dionysus' confrontation with Pentheus after the collapse of the palace and also the arrival of a messenger from the ritual haunts of the Bacchae. Dionysus is unharmed, Pentheus is unfazed in his desire to persecute the mysterious stranger, and we have a further manifestation of Dionysus' power in the form of a phantom he conjures to torment the enraged Pentheus. At least, if you believe Dionysus' story.
Since I don't have much time for analysis today, I'll stick to one quick point. Most action in any Greek drama takes place offstage - the murder of Agamemnon, the suicide of Jocasta, almost every death, to be concise, as well as crowd scenes, violence, and anything that would require complex mechanisms to pull off onstage. Which might include the previous scene with the earthquake collapsing the house of Pentheus. These actions are relayed to the audience and the characters onstage, typically, by a nameless messenger devoid of obvious personality traits. The job of this messenger is to describe offstage action in striking terms in order to keep the audience's attention, painting a picture with words, so to speak.
Here we have, perhaps, two messengers in quick succession. Dionysus narrates events that occurred within the palace before, during, and after the quake - and not only does he do so, but he sometimes describes Bacchus in abstract terms, as if he were merely observing the god; but then again, he switches into the first-person at numerous points. Why does he do so? Is there a value for him in keeping his identity secret from the Bacchae, as opposed to Pentheus? Remember that, at this point, they only know him as their Bromios, their cult-leader, and not the deity. Is he being cautious so that the nearby Pentheus will not hear him? Dodds has no comment, unless I'm misreading him. When our second, proper, messenger arrives, his speech is immediately contrasted with Dionysus' in terms of his confidence. His initial reaction to Pentheus is fear, so much that he delays his (stage-typical) address to first seek permission.
The messenger's actual message will be translated in the next post.
617-676
DIONYSUS: I mocked him in this, that, while he seemed to chain me,
he didn’t touch me, didn’t hold me, but was fed by his hopes.
He found a bull at the feeding-trough where he shut me in,
and threw ropes around its knees, its hooves, its feet,
panting with his emotion, him biting his lips,
the sweat dripping from his body. I was sitting nearby
at rest and I beheld it. And at that very time
Bacchus came and shook the house and lit a fire
at his mother’s tomb. As Pentheus saw this, that the
house seemed to burn, he rushed to and fro, telling the slaves
to carry in water – all the slaves were busy at this, working in vain.
When he left this effort behind, since I had escaped,
he drew his dark sword and ran into the house.
Then Bromios, as it seemed to me – I’m stating my opinion –
created a phantom in the courtyard. Then Pentheus sprung forward,
attacked and stabbed the shining air, like he was slaughtering me.
Bacchus destroyed his dignity in this way and in others.
He crumbled his house to the ground. All was broken
by the one who saw my most bitter chains. After this
Pentheus gave up and dropped his sword; for as a man
he attempted to do battle with a god. Now, still at rest,
I’m leaving the house and coming for you, caring not for Pentheus.
It seems to be that there are footsteps inside the house –
soon he’ll be at the entrance. What’ll he say about all this?
I’ll easily endure it, no matter what hot air he blows.
It befits a wise man to practice a wise good temper.
(Enter PENTHEUS)
PENTHEUS: I’ve suffered monstrous things! The stranger’s escaped me,
he who had just been confined by chains.
Eah! Eah!
It’s this man! What’s this? How did he leave
and show himself right here, in front of my house?
DIONYSUS: Stop there, and put a quiet foot under your anger.
PENTHEUS: How did you escape your bonds and get outside?
D: Didn’t I say – or didn’t you hear – that someone would free me?
P: Who? You’re always giving such bizarre explanations.
D: It’s he who generates the vine full of grapes for mortals.
P : [---here a line has been lost ---]
D: You reproach Dionysus for something wonderful.
P: I command that all towers on the perimeter be shut.
D: What’s this? Can’t gods step over the walls?
P: You’re wise, very wise, except for when you need to be.
D: Especially in those things – I was born wise in them.
Learn! Hear the report of this man,
who’s come as a messenger to you from the hills.
We’ll stay right here with you, and will not flee.
(Enter the MESSENGER)
MESSENGER: Pentheus, controller of the land of Thebes
I left Cithaeron and came here, Cithaeron ,
where the bright snowfall never disappears.
PENTHEUS: And you come to contribute what serious message?
MESSENGER: I saw the regal Bacchae, those that were stung
departed this land, running with white limbs,
I’ve come, I need to tell you and the city, lord,
that they do amazing things, more powerful than wonders.
I want to hear whether I can speak to you honestly
about what’s going on there, or if I should check my words.
Lord, I fear the quickness of your emotions,
your sharp-temperedness, and your extremely regal nature.
PENTHEUS: Speak, since you’ll be completely unharmed.
There’s no reason to become angry at just actions.
As much as you speak of the terrible acts of the Bacchae,
so much I will subject to justice the man
who introduced these practices to our women.
Notes:
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